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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 1905)
I THE SUNDAY OliEGONI&X. PORTLAND, AUGUST 13, 1905. FI LOSS IS HEAVY Forests Burning in Valleys of Rogue River Basin. COUNTRY IS VERY DRY Sawmill Man looses His Homo While He Is Fighting the Flames From His 31111 property. GRAFT'S PASS, Or., Aug. 12. (Spe cial) Property losses by fire In South ern 6regon have been very heavy the past ten days, due to the excessive dry ness of -the soason. The rainfall for last Winter and this Summer has been Jess than or several years past, and the ieast spark at once starts a fire. In almost every valley of the Rogue Itlvcr Basin forest fires are raging and much timber Is being1 destroyed. The farmers are losing- much fencing- and several buildings have been burned. At John Ranzan's 100-acre hopyard the warehouse -was burned with a large quantity of sulphur, burlap, spraying chemicals and a steam power spray pump. Loss about $1400. W. I. Doll lost his barn, outbuildings and considerable fencing. Harry Smith, while with his men, was saving his sawmill from a forest fire, but lost his house and most of its contents, the house being in flames be fore it was discovered. The sawmill of Stevens & Son, near Jacksonville, was burned, together with considerable timber. The Pacific States Telephone -Company lost some 20 poles by fire of its overland line on the Louse Creek sec tion. With no rain likely before Septem-? bar, the loss by fire In Southern Ore gon Js quite certain to be very heavy. The hills and mountains 'are full of fires, set out by hunters, prospectors, stockmen, careloss campers and hood lums, and now fires are springing up almost daily. Smoke is filling the air and the mountain peaks can no longer be soen. BARTENDER IS UXDER ARREST Sequel to Destruction of Brewery at Grant's Pass. GRANT'S PASS. Or., Aug. 12. (Spe cial.) Henry Smith was arrested for arson as a soquence of the destruction by fire Wednesday night of the brew ery. Ice works and saloon, owned and operated by August Fetsch. Smith was bartender for Fetsch. He was arrested Thursday night as he was boarding the nortb-bound train to leave the city. Several features connected with tho burning of the establishment, together with Smith's contradictory statements, led to his arrest. Fetsch had been in San Francisco for the past week, seek ing a partner in his brewery business, nnd is to arrive home today. Smith's examination will probably bo held Monday. The fire that led to this serious af fair took place late Wednesday night, and the buildings of the brewery, ice works and saloon were, totally de stroyed. This was the second brewery for Grant's Pass, and the third Ice plant. The buildings were erected early last Spring and the brewery and ice plant liave been run but little. The Kaloon was opened, but it met with bit ter opposition from the residents of South Grant's Pass, as the establish ment was located across Rogue River out of the city -limits. Fetsch's petition for a license was beaton by a remonstrance, nnd since then he has been selling liquor without a county license. He was preparing to apply at the September term of court for a license, but so strong Is the op position to having- a roadside saloon outside of the city and police control that the Grant's Pass .Municipal League would have been likely to have again defeated the application.. The loss by the fire was about $10, 000. with $6400 Insurance. As to wheth er Mr. Fetsch will rebuild is not given out yet. Fires Near Mount Jefferson. ALBAXY. Or., Aug. 12. (Special.) Fires in the timber east of Detroit, at the foot of Mount Jefferson, are spread ing and d61ng great damage. A consid erable tract of timber is already burned and the flames are spreading eastward. A large force of men Is fighting tho fire, but making little headway against it, owing to the high wind usually blowing up the, Santiam canyon. BAILIXGER XA5IES DELEGATES All Agree to Be Present at Commer cial Congress Convention. SEATTLE, Wash.. Aug. 12. (Special.) Mayor Ballinger this morning forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce his list of the official and lay delegates to the con ference of cities to be held in Portland from August 14 to 19, Inclusive, .and also his list of delegates to the Trans-Missis-, slppi Commercial Congress, to be held In the same city from August 16 to 19, In clusive. Some of the best-known men of Seattle are named by the Mayor and his selection has proven pleasing to the officers of the Chamber. The names of those selected follow: To the conference of cities: Official E. F. Blaine, Irving T. Cole. H. W. Scott. A. L. Walters and L. B. Youngs. Lay delegates Ira Bronson, Joslah Col lins, J. E. Crichton. Judge A. W. Frater. John P. Hartman. J. B. Loughary. Ellis Morrison. John Powell, George B. Klt tlnger, William Pigott, John W. Roberts, John Rlplinger, Joseph Shippen. C. J. Smith and A. S.-Kerry. To the 16th annual session of the Trans MississlppI Commercial Congress: Offi cialA. S. Korry. Ira Bronson, William Pigott, J. D. Farrell and Judge Thomas Burke. Lay delegates M. F. Backus, James Goldsmith. N. H. Latimer, J. W. Cllse. E. F. Blaine, John P. Hartman. Joslah Col lins, John Powell. John W. Roberta. Me rits Thomsen. Joseph Shippen. F. W. Baker, C. J. Smith, John Schram and H. C. Henry. The Mayor selected his list of names only after a consultation with each one of the delogates. and all those he has chosen to represent Seattle have agreed to be in attendance at the various ses sions. PROMOTE VANCOUVER OFFICER Hifle Team Xamed to Represent Washington at Seagirt. 'MPIA. Wash., Aug. 12. (Special.) r issuea d.v tne Adjutant-General -mounces the promotion of First Int Burton E. Bowen. of Com- Vancouver, to be Captain. Cap- i;n is granted a six-months leave i to attend tho Infantry and thool at Fort Leavenworth. of Second Lieutenant R. E. Detrick to he First Lieutenant of the same company Is also announced. The same order gives the make-up of the rifle team which will compete at the National rifle match at Seagirt. K. J., this month. Several changes in the team have been made since the selection was first made. ,The team is composed as" follows: ' Brigadier-General James A. Brain, team captain; Major C. T. Dulln. team coach. North Yakima; Captain Matt H. Gormley. team Fpotter. Seattle; Captain J. Howard Darlington, Seattle; Capaln Frank M. Beech ert. T a co ma; Captain John M. Curry. Second Lieutenant O. D. Huztablea. Regimental Color Sergeant George Van BuMtlrk. Flrat Sergeant W. Jt. Howe, Company E: Sergeant A. C Pierce. Company E; Sergeant P. R Rlchardfon, Company E; Sergeant C. J. Iver son. Company E; Corporal M. R. Humphrey, Company E; Private W. A- Berg. Company E, North Yakima; Sergeant J. B. Potter. Company M. Belllngbam; Corporal E. L. Col burn. Company K. Everett; Corporal E. M. Hatton. Company D, Seattle; Musician Fred Fenton, Company B Seattle. FIRE WARDEN" IS WIDE AWAKE Arrests Farmers for Burning Slash ing Without a License. OREGON CITY. Or.. Aug. 12. Spe cial.) F. Hendricks, deputy fire warden, last night discovered J- R. Hunt. A. M. Lull and D. O. Leavens, of Willamette burning slashing for which a permit had not been procured of the County Clerk. The men appeared before Acting Deputy District Attorney ITRcn this morning and pleaded ignorance of tho amended law with the proi-islons of which the people of this county are not acquainted. Agree ing to immediately obtain the required permit, tho men were not prosecuted. Mr. Hendricks Is patrollng the entire county and posting notices warning set tlers against the miscellaneous starting of fires. In order to get ardund the ob jectionable feature of thellaw which re quires a permit to be obtained ten days prior to the time the fire is to be started, the same to be burned only three days, a groat many farmers are renewing their applications for pormlts every three days, thus giving .them practically indefinite time in which to wait for favorable weather. Otherwise, the weather during the three days covered in the original application on which the porznit is granted being unfavorable, the settler must experience a further delay of at least the required ten days that inter vene between the Issuance of the permit and the starting of the fire authorized thereby. GOBBAN IS NOT GUILTY MONTANA JURY DECIDES AFTER THREE HOURS' DELIBERATION. N'lue Other Chariest Agalnat Man Cleared of Subornation of Per jury In Land Case. HELENA, Mont, Aug. 12. After delib erating aboiit three hours, the Jury In the case of the United Statog against R. M. Cobban, charged with subornation of perjury in the United States Court, this afternoon returned a verdict of not guilty and Judge Hunt discharged the case against him. There are still nine other charges against Cobban, and Special United States Attorney Maynard told the court he was roady at once to begin the trial. Judge Hunt will consider the mattor Monday or Tuesday. TAXES ARE NOT COLLECTIBLE Attorney-General Decides on Rail road Lands In Clark. OLYMPIA, Wash., Aug. 12. (Special.) The Attorney-General will hold that the .taxes assessed by Clark County against railroad lands, on which the Government has accepted homestead entries and given the railroads lieu lands, are not collect ible. A large part of Clark County was in the. original railroad grant, but home stead entries were received under the Wilson act from settlers thereon. Before the passage of the act, taxes were assessed by the county against the railroad and tho latter allowed them to go delinquent. Now that the settlers are rapidly acquir ing title to the lands in question, the county desired to hold the land a-allable for the delinquent taxes. POWDER EXPLODES IX FACE Idaho" Man Loses Eye and May Lose Life. BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 12. (Special.) Percy White, of Silver, has been terribly and perhaps fatally, injured by an ex plosion of dynamite at the ranch of Louis BermsconI, in Owyhee Count. The dy namite was in the Icehouse. The structure took fire from sparks from the blacksmith-shop. White rushed to the door, and as he opened it the powder exploded. His face was terribly cut and one eye destroyed, while he was injured about the body. BermsconI was also badly hurt by flying boards. Fined for Illegal Liquor-Selling. OREGON CITY, Or., Aug. 12. (Spe cial.) Mr. and Mrs. A, Corrigan and Mr. Cunningham, proprietors of a saloon at Estacada, were found guilty yesterday of selling liquor without a municipal license and wore fined ?30 each. Cunningham paid his fine, but Corrigan and wife will appeal. The defendants contended that under the provisions of a license ob tained from the County Court last April they were regularly licensed to sell liquors, but the Estacada City charter provides that the state law shall not ap ply in the licensing of saloons and the traffic in liquor. This provision of tho charter became operative January 31, and the city's attorneys held that the license granted by Clackamas County was void. Invited Her to Warmer Region. OREGON CITY. Or.. Aug. 12. (Spe cial.) Because her husband invited her to visit regions more tropical than Ore gon, slandered her and assaulted her with a knife, besides otherwise maltreating her. Nettle C. Rich today filed suit against Clark A. Rich, to whom she was married in Multnomah County In October. 1900. The wife asks to resume her maiden name. Nettle Chapman. T. N. McKnight Is plaintiff in another proceed ing against Issebelle McKnight, whom ho married In Ohio In 1879, and charges with desertion in 1902. Idaho Delegates Appointed. LEWISTON, Idaho. Aug. 12. (Special.) President Morris announced as his ap pointees to the Trans-Misslsslppl Com mercial Congress, John P. Vollmer and R. Schleicher, who will be in attendance on that date. He also announced as ap pointees to the National Irrigation Con gress, James E. Babb and J. Howard Howe, who will be in attendance. Bridge Over Gray's River. ASTORIA. Or., Aug. 12.-(SpecIal.)-The Board of Commissioners of Wahkiakum County. Washington, at its recent meet ing awarded a contract to Ferguson & Houston of this city for tho construction of a hridge across Gray's River, near the Bergman place. The cdst of the structure will be about $3000. QUARTZ VERY RICH Strike Made on the Route of the Alaska Central. LEDGE IS TWO FEET WIDE Assays of Samples Found Thirty Miles From Seward Run Be tween $2000 and $5000 to the Ton. SEATTLE. Wash., Aug. 12. (Special.) Steamer Santa Ana. of the Northwestern Steamship Company, brings news from Seward of a very rich strike of quartz along the line of the Alaska Central Rail road. 30 miles north of Seward, on Trail Lake. The ledge 1 two feet wide. A sample knocked off from the surfaco and assayed at Seward showed between $2000 and XO -per ton. It is not expected that the whole ledge will prove so rich, but large quantities of the ore brought into Seward the day the Santa Ana sailed were as fine look ing samples as have ever been produced in Alaska, so the officors of the Santa Ana state. The rails on the Alaska Contral Rail way are now extended to the Trail Creek Lakes, and the grading is almost ready for the rails as far as Moo?e Point. 45 miles from Seward. Three dally train are In operation on the Alaska -Central principally engaged In hauling rails, ties and other equipment to the front. The Valencia has arrived from San Francisco with 475 men and a cargo or material for the Alaska Central, and -thore were then 1GW men employed by the railway company. The Alaska Central headquarters build ing, costing $59,000. was completed to th top of the first story. The foundation i of concrete, the middle part Is of brlcV three stories high, and the wings, oacb of two stories, are of wood nnd concrete Clearing had begun for the new Bask of Seward building, at the oornor o Fourth avonue and Adams stnjot. It Ik to be a concrete building'. 3Gx&, two stories high. A Chamber" of Commerce has been or ganized by the citizens of Seward, with F. G. Hale as president and Frank L Ballalne as secretary. The Seward School Board has decldod to employ two teachers this Winter and provide facilities for 300 pupils. STOR3IY IilFJE OP THE BURKES Husband From Hospital and "Wife From Jail Are at the Fair. SEATTLE, Aug. 12. (Special. Michael and Minnie Burke are In Portland visit ing the Lewis and Clark Fair. Later they will go to an Oregon ranch owned by Burke. This Is the end of a scries of sensations, beginning with Burke's being carried, to the Emergency Hospital, wittering from strychnine poiwmlng, his cry that his wife had attempted to murder him and the woman's arrest on the charge. But when Burke recovered from the effect of the poison he refused to prowcute hU wife and when the police were unable to hold her he met the woman at the door of the County Jail and begged her to re turn to him. She did so. Burke alleged after the poisoning episode that his wife enjoyed i faster life than he and she bad been running wild in Ta coma. He came to Seattle to effect a re conciliation and said hie wife handed him a glass of water containing tho pol- I son. aim iJurke telephoned for a doctor, and Burke ordered the police. Both re sponded and' the husband was carried to the hospital while the wife went to Jail. Then as suddenly as It begun the storm blew over and the couple returned to Oregon. JUMPS INTO HEFUSE BURNER Seattle Woman Commits Horrible Suicide at Anacortes. ANAC0RTE3. Wash., Aug. 12. Anna Hood, aged 30, unmarried,, a resident of Soattle, who had been visiting Mrs. W. J. Leadbetter since early in July, com mitted suicide at a late hour last night by leaping into the refuse-burner of the Baty Shingle Company's mill. The night watchman noticed that the hole at the elevator dump was darkened for a mo ment, and soon afterwards heard tho scream of someone in the burner. A hasty examination revealed the dead body of a woman being slowly cremated In the red-hot furnace. The burner was cooled by turning on water, and the charred body was removed and Identified by Mr. Leadbetter. Miss Hood had been missing from the house since S:30.' She had been 111 for several weeks. No cause Is known for the act. To reach tho elevator hole to tho burner the woman either climbed a 20-foot ladder or passed out through the mill over the elevator frame. aiACHIXERX FOR ST. HELENS European Capital Secured to Exploit Promising Property. CHEHALIS. Wash., Aug. 12. (Spe cial.) R. C. Lange, who recently re turned from Europe, where he disposed of a large block of stock for the St. Helens Mining- Company, went to Den ver Wednesday to purchase mining; ma chinery for the St. Helens mines. The machinery will be thoroughly modern in all details, and will be Installed Just as soon as it arrives. The holdings of the company are con sidered valuable, and workings on a much larger scale than heretofore will be begun at once. Two shifts will be maintained, and water power in plenty can be obtained close to the mlnos. Surface work has shown a strong vein Ttfhlrh viltllYo It if r-Vl ..nt-inj... ... 1.. I 1 ..... - . e" aiuc3 III All the adits and shallow shafts sunk. Some of these copper samples run from 12 to 20 per cent in the red metal and carry some gold. The vein has been established as a permanent fissure and will no doubt be found with high-grade ore at greater depth. Tunneling will begin at once to get at the ore at gTeat depth. ' HARVESTING FLAX IN LEWIS Fiber Company's New Plant Is Buy ing the Product. CHEHALIS. Wash., Aug. 12. (Special.) Many loads of flax are coming into the American Flax Fiber Company's new plant recently erected here, and there Is considerable of the product yet to be re ceived. Flax is a new crop for this sec tion, this being the first crop raised here, and the farmers have worked under considerable difficulty in the handling of the crop, but the yield In general Is fairly heavy and of good quality. Farmers have had iome trouble in cutting the crop, owing to the fact that an ordinary binder will not. cut ..the flax without changing the knives, when the yield Is heavy. Many of the growers are adopting the plan of pulling the flax and it is worth $1 more per ton when It is pulled, as the fiber la then longer. It Is impossible to tell what the product Is worth per ton be fore it is threshed, but the farmer re ceives $11 per ton when he sells the fiber and seed together. Clark County Bridge Contracts. VANCOUVER, Wash., Aug. 12. (Spe cialsBids were opened yesterday by the County Commissioners and contracts for bridges awarded as follows: Gerow bridge, near La Center, to II. L. r&rce! for S3S5. B razee bridge, near La Center, to A. F. Davis Tor S?0. lielsen bridge, across Lewis River, was let In tw contracts, one to L. G. Allen to put in the piers and stonework at $7.50 per yard for the stone ,and SS.73 per yard for the concrete. The bridge proper was given to T. D. Owens. Schumacker bridge, on the Baatelle road, to It. II. Ilelsen for $125. Salmoa Crek bridge, to two parties, the stonework for $7.30 per yard to A. T. Van Camp and the bridge proper to T. D. Owen for J2S. But one bid was offered to construct the Dele bridge acrots the Lewis River and as It was considered the estimate was too high. It was rejected. Chchnlis Gives Telephone Franchise. CHEHALIS. Wash.. Aug. 12. (Special.) At the regular meeting of the City Council last Monday evening a communi cation was read from the Sunsot Tele phone &, Tolegraph Company submitting the proposal following: To provide for main line service at $2.20 per month, business party service at Jl.W per month, residence party line service at 51.25 per month. Vwo main lines free for the use of the city, and to In stall an all-night service If so requested. This Is the outcome of the ultimatum is sued to the company by the City Council some time ago to the effect that they must reduce the cost of tolephone serv ice In the city or remove their poles from the streets. The proposal submitted Is in the nature of a compromise. The terms were accepted by the city and a franchise will be granted. "Wanted to Save the King. SEATTLE. Wash. Aug. 1L (Special.) Mrs. Orrin D. Morse is particular about the use of her Jewelry ana to enforce her claims to a personal use of the gems she ap;ealed to the Superior Court for a restraining order, preventing her hus band from pawning more of them. Ac cording to Mrs. Morse version, the hus band has an unquenchable thirst that financially embarrassed his parents when they tried to quench it and resulted In the loss of most of the wife's Jewelry. Mrs. Morse was willing to stand for pretty nearly everything- until her mother's wedding ring was pawned. Then she appealed for a restraining order and a divorce. She got the Injunction. Suit to Cancel Heed. SALEM, Or.. Aug. 12. (Special.) W. H. Patton. of Portland, has brought suit against T. B. Kay and Receiver Claud Gatch. of the Gilbert Bros.' Bank, to secure cancellation of a deed from Gatoh to Kay. It Is alleged that the land be longed to C. A. Whale, but the record title stood In the name of A. T. Gilbert and Gatch sold It as Gilbert's property. Patton holds a deed from Whale and wants the land or J3CC0. Accuses Partner of Fraud. LOS ANGELES. Cal.. Aug. 12. George Zobcleln. president nnd treasurer of the Malar &. Zobelcln Brewing Company, tho largest concern of the kind In Southern California, has applied to the courts for a receiver, and In connection with the action charges Charles Joseph Mater, his late partner, with fraud. He asks that an accounting be obtained, tho copart nership dissolved and the property sold. Indians Get Fighting Drunk. ABERDEEN. Wash.. Aug. 12. (Special.) Roport from the Quinault Indian Agency 'are that the Indians are receiving liquor from some source contrary to law. A few days ago a number of the tribe be came gloriously drunk and fought each other desperately. Several were severely Injured before white men could put an end to the trouble. The affair is to be reported to the proper authorities. Iake County Saved Money. LAKBV1EW, Or.. Aug. 12. (Special.) News of the decision of the Supreme Court in the matter of the constitutional ity of the migratory tax law. passed at the last Legislature, was recolvcd In Lake County with much approval. Lake County, through disregard of the new law, created no expense on account of It in the matter of controlling the range and collecting the tax as provided for. "Will Employ n Big Force. HOQUIAM. Wash.. Aug. 12. (Special.) The big plant of tho Panel Box Folding Company, closed for two weeks on ac count of a serious break In the machin ery, will be started Monday. The plant has been greatly added to and Improved, the outlay being about $30,000. When fully ready, SO) hands are to be employed. Drowns AVhile In a Fit. BOISE, Idaho. Aug. 12. (SpecIal.)-OI-lle Weber, the lS-year-old son of Frank Weber, was drowned today near BcIIevue. He was subject to epileptic fits and was seized with one while fishing. The boy fell into water about one foot deep and drowned before he could recover control of himself. House at Svensen Burned. ASTORIA. Or., Aug. 12. (Special.) Word was received today that the resi dence of Mrs. A. B. Hill, near Svensen. was destroyed by fire on Thursday. The loss is about $2000 with $300 insurance. Tho fire is supposed to have originated from a defective flue. Insane Soldier Sent to Asylum. VANCOUVER. Wash, Aug. 12. (Spe cial.) Private Myer Landerman. of Com pany C. Third Infantry, has been sent to the Government Hospital for the Insane, at Washington, D. C. NORTHWEST DEAD. Mrs. Maria -Louise Vonderahe. OREGON CITY. Or.. Aug. 12. (Spe cial.) Maria Louise, aged 79 years, wife of Christopher Frederick Vonderahe, 4ied from the effects of a stroke of paralysis at the family homo near Carua; last night. She was born in Germany, Oc tober 16. 1S31. and came to Oregon in 18t7. She is survived by six children, four sons and two daughters, as follows: C W. Vonderahe nnd E. Henry Von derahe. of Oregon City: C. L. Vonderahe, Oak Grove, and F. C. Vonderahe, Carus; Mrs. William Mueller. Highland, and Mrs. Mary McCarthy. Carus. George H. Bland. LEBANON, Or.. Aug! 12. (Special.) George Harter Bland, who crossed the plains in 1S51 with his parents, died here August 7, nged 66 years. His sur viving children are: Mrs. John Miller, of The Dalles: Mrs. M. NeeJham and Mrs. L. Arnold, of Lebanon. Christopher Honser. PENDLETON, Or., Aug. 12.-(Special.)-Christopac Houscr is dead at his home In Pilot Rock, aged S3. He was a native of Illinois, and came to Oregon In 1SSL He left a family of seven children. SALUTATION! Standing upon the threshold of a new season, we extend a greeting to our friends for the many kind words of appreciation spoken of us, and for the liberal patronage accorded us, we are truly grateful. We trust that each succeeding season will find this store more deeply rooted in the estimation of the people. We now take great pleasure in announcing the arrival of our v FALL AND WINTER We have the best Clothes, Hats and Toggery for Men, Boys and Children that the country produces. We aim to have the best, for just the ordinary sort is not good enough for this store or its patrons. Come to see the good things we've prepared for you and learn how very reasonable our prices are. Buy at your convenience, but allow us to drop the hint that early choosers always have an advantage. SAM'L ROSENBLATT & CO. CORNER THIRD AND MORRISON STREETS BELAY IfJ MALHEUR Why the Reclamation Project Does Mot Go Ahead. ROAD COMPANY TO BLAME But This Correspondent Also Criti cises the Government The Cost, and How the land-0vn-cra Must Pay It. BURNS. Or.. Augr. U.-(To the Editor.) In recont issues 'of the Oregonian there appeared communications and editorials concerning the attitude of the Willamette Valley &. Cascade Wagon Road Company towards the proposed reclamation project In Malheur County. The views of the Reclamation Service are supposed to have emanated from Washington, whllo the position of the road company has been ably. If adroitly, presented by C. E. S. Wood, of Portland, the representative and attorney for the company In thl3 state. In view of the great Importance of this matter to the people of Oregon, I deem It proper to throw what light 1 can upon this vexed question (and believe that I am fairly well advised In the premises). In order that the general public may form acorrect conception of the whole busi ness and be enabled Intelligently to pass judgment upon the issues Involved. The Government's position in the mat ter is easily explained:"- After a most thorough examination by the reclamation engineers of every phase of tho project In question, it was found practicable to Impound tho waters of the Malheur Riv er In a reservoir to be constructed In what Is known as the Harper Basin, and by gravity canals leading therefrom, to place water upon about Hft.GOO acres of land. The cost of this work was esti mated to be about H0 per ncre by the engineers appointed for that purpose, after full and complete data had been obtained. It Is true that at the Inception of the undertaking the engineers who went over the ground and figured on the probable cost concluded that about $30 per acre would be sufficient to cover everything except the purchase of exist ing vested rights. The people generally relied upon the correctness of this esti mate: and the Malheur Water Users' As sociation was organized and Incorporated upon that basis, more than a year ago. with the consent and approval of the Reclamation Service. So when the board of engineers, appointed last Spring- to pass upon the total expenditure necessary for the project, raised the estimate some $10 per acre, it came as a very unpleasant surprise to those owning lands under the project, and widespread dissatisfaction prevailed among- all concerned. To say the least, it was a very unfortunate af fair, and well-nigh had the effect of causing a complete abandonment of the undertaking by the withdrawal of all those who had heretofore agreed to ac cept the Government's terms. The engi neers partially explained the additional cost as arising from the insertion of a drainage feature In the proposed reclamation, which had not theretofore been Included in the estimates, and which is said td be absolutely necessary for the reclamation of level arid lands. It Is generally conceded that the engi neers of the Reclamation Service are able men, well qualified for the work as signed them. We must, therefore, accept their findings with unquestioning faith, as we know that they are In dead earnest and more than anxious to have active operations' begin on that project as soon as possible When they tell us that the minimum cost for which the work can be accomplished Is $10 per acre, we should acquiesce. Of course, to roost people this seems high, but when we consider that the Malheur project possesses all the con ditions favorable to such an enterprise. It is reasonable to conclude that it is not excessive, and that the lands Included therein can easily bear that burden; especially as the Government agrees to give free maintenance for ten years. Now, It must be remembered that the estimated cost of construction was based upon the assumption that the whole of the lCO.OOD acres to be reclaimed would be signed up. Were anything- less to be given In, the cost would have to be In creased proportionately, so that if any conslderable area were withheld, the charge would be prohibitive, and the en terprise would have to be abandoned. From this it will be seen that the re quirement of the Reclamation Service, that practically all the land that can be watered by the system must be signed up. unconditionally. Is not unreasonable; and that if one were allowed the privi lege of withdrawing-, It would be unfair to the rest. The contention of the road company that' it shall be granted this privilege If It means anything means that It takes thl3 course for the purpose of blocking the project. No other Infer ence can be drawn therefrom. The road company, according to Mr. Wood, Is willing- to sign up about 20, 000 acres, withholding- something like 5000 acres. But If that company were permitted to withhold one-fifth of. its holdings, a like concession would have to be made to other proprietors. And then what? Nothing! Everyone knows that this company would be the great est beneficiary under the project, as the greater part of its land cannot otherwise be Irrigated, and would be of little value. Why It should be so stiff-necked is a mystery. The aver age price Its lands would bring would indeed be handsome. To be sure, some of its lands are of an inferior quality, but reclamation projects are not in augurated where all the lands are first-class. It would be useless to deny that the feelings of the people In general liv ing along and in the vicinity of the road grant are anything but friendly to the company." No other factor has been so potent In retarding the devel opment of Southeastern Oregon as has the existence of several road land grants passing through its choicest valleys and whose owners seem to have no other purpose In refusing to dispose of tho same save the acquisi tion of tho unearned increment. The other fellow must Improve and develop while the road, land proprietors reap the benefit of his labors by the grad ual enhancement of values. Should the W. V. & C M. R. Co. stand in the way of this irrigation project and cause Its abandonment, tho feel ing against It will become intensified, and It will be said that "the sum of Its Iniquity is complete." The present owners, however, are not responsible for the vicious legislation that gave birth to this grant; but ought they not to remember the questionable way in which this land was taken from the people, without valid consideration, and to atone for tne sins of the past by taking some little Interest in the welfaro of the people who have hereto fore been the sufferers from its exist ence? It certainly does not look as if it would be at all comfortable to be an owner in an Institution which the peo ple generally consider a blighting curse upon the land. Let us hopo that those who control the destinies of that in stitution may experience a change of heart and be induced to recede from the stand taken in this matter,, and thereby avert a veritable disaster from the people of Malheur County and a severe blow to the people of the entire state. I have no wish to In any way reflect upon the attitude of Mr. Wood In this matter. He has always been consid ered a broadmlnded man and one who loves his fellow-men. In this affair he is simply doing the best he knows how for his clients, and, presumably, fol lowing their instructions. But I do believe that he has failed to grasp the true scope and import of irrigation af fairs In Malheur County. He has not had sufficient time or opportunity to make himself thoroughly conversant with all the details of the proposed Government project, and thenvwhat he has learned has largely come through prejudiced sources from parties cov ertly hostile or extremely visionary. In conclusion. I will say that the methods of the Reclamation Service are by no means free from censure. It has a splendid corps of men attending to its affairs in Oregon; but. as else where, they are greatly handicapped by the curse of red-tapelsm. Every matter, however trivial, has to pass through a dozen channels, and as a rule months elapsa before final action I3 taken by the high priest who pre sides over the Interior Department, who has never seen an Irrigation project In his Jife. The President, a short time since, issued a sensible and forcible edict against the red-tape evil. Had he turned his searchlight upon the above-named department, he would have discovered such a network of that commodity as would cause the eyes of a Russian bureaucrat to turn green with envy. This dilatory machine has brought reproach upon the Reclama tion Service. Men point to the fact that a private Irrigation enterprise Is completed in the time it takes a Gov ernment project to arrange the pre liminaries. These are the two causes that hold back active work on the Malheur Irri gation project: The selfishness of the road company and the red-tape meth ods of the Reclamation Service. Let us hope that a change for the better will soon take place. M. FITZGERALD. Quarantine in Idaho. BOISE, aho. Aug. 12. Governor Good ing has Issued a quarantine proclama tion against horses, cattle and sheep from the states of Utah. Nevada, Montana. Wyoming and Oregon. The Governor says In his proclamation that the state veter inary surgeon has Informed him of the existence of mange and scabbles among the livestock of those states, and that on this account animals being driven or com ing Into the state in any manner should be subject to an inspection by either STOCKS a Federal or state Inspector. The Gov ernor allows of a limit of two miles In side the state boundary for all livestock, except when they have been subjected to the dipping process, which excludes them from the quarantine order. Horses and cattle under harness or yoke are also excepted. Boj's Curiosity Saves Lives. REDLANDS. Cal.. Aug. 12. A Mexican boy's curiosity saved 20 or 30 persons from being poisoned by Manual Mendez last night. - Mendez secured a dozen wat ermelons and some cans of poisoned wheat. He poured the wheat into the melons and allowed the poison to be tully absorbed. Then he removed the wheat and Invited numerous friends to a wat ermelon feast. The boy had seen Mendez buy the poisoned wheat and thought the melons were to be used for killing gophers. When the dance was ended and Mendcs distributed slices to his guests, be gava warning. The guests examined the fruit, and aftr beating their host, lodged him In jail on a charge of attempt of mur der. ' Hoadworkera Delegates Tamcd. SALEM, Or.. Aug. 12. (Special.) Gov ernor Chamberlain has appointed the following delegates to the annual con vention of the National Association of Road Workers, to be hold in Port Huron. Mich., August 23-31: County Judges C. H. Stewart, of Linn; John H. Scott, of Marlon: T. F. Ryan, of Clackamas; George W. Dunn, of Jack son, and Henry J. Bean, of Umatilla. South Dakota' Huge "Wheat Crop. CHICAGO, Aug. 12. F. A. Miller, of tho Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail road, has received dispatches from cor respondents in all parts of South Dakota telling of enormous crops. The crops harvested will be the largest in the his tory of the state. The acreage of wheat was Increased by about 15 per cent and the average yield Is fully 50 per cent more than last year, and probably 15 per cent greater than the average of the past seven yo&rs. Officer Rogers Loses His Star. Officer W. W. Rogers was relieved from the police department yesterday by orders of Chief of Police Gritz macher, and when he reported for duty to Captain Bailey last night his star and tools were taken from him. Rogers has been patrolling the district In Goose Hollow. He Is charged with neg lect of duty. San Francisco, Auk. 12. Arrived Steamer Newburjc. from Cray's Harbor: steamer St Taul. from Ejjrtland; schooner Llrrle Vance, from Gray's Harbor; V. S. S. Solace, from Manila; barkentlne Archer, from Honolulu Sailed Steamer M. F. Plant, for Cooa Ba steamer Xevadan. for Seattle: bark R. I nitbt. for Honolulu; steamer San Juan. tnr Ancon. No woman can look beautiful without 1 good health. A woman's good health I depends on those organs peculiarly femi nine, and which so often become disor dered, causing misery and dragglng-down , pain. Nature's laws are perfect, health i endures if you obey them, but disease ' follows disobedience. Tho distressing ' complaints of women are often brought ' about by catching cold at a critical j period, breathing foul Indoors' air and long hours of work and nervous tension. Go straight to Nature for the cure to ! the forest. Dr. Pierce's Favorite Pre t scrlptlon 13 JToturt's cure for the dls- tresslng complaints of women. Prof, i King, M. D., in his American Dlspenaa 1 tory, says of Black Cohosh or Black i Snake-root "our early American In- dlans set a high value on this root In ! diseases of women. It is surpassed by j no other drug, in congeMive conditicms ; of the parts where thert are dragging I pains and tenderness." i Lady's Slipper root Is a "nerve stimulant and tonic, Improving both circulation and I nutrition oi ine nerve centers lavonng - sleep and cheerful condition of the mind; ! of service in mental depression, nervous ! headache, Irregularities of women with ! desDondencv.', Prof. Kina. Besides the above ingredients there are Golden Seal, Unicorn and Blue Cohosh roots in Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription. Dr. Pierce's Common Sense Medical Adviser will be sent free, paper-bound, for 21 one-cent stamps, or cloth-bound for 31 stamps. Over 1000 pages and Illustrated. Address Dr. IL V. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y. Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets should b used, with "Favorite Prescription " whsn cvar a laxative is required.