The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, November 17, 1907, Image 1

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PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 17, 1907.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
VOT. XXVI NO. 46.
60 Pages
FREEDOM COMING
OR CALIFORNIA
Fight Against Machine
Has Begun.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC CONTROLS
But Step Has Been Taken to
Loosen Bonds.
DIRECT PRIMARY NEXT
legislature Will Pass Such a Law
and Then Lawmakers Will Not
Be Controlled by the Road, but
Will Act for the People.
SAN FRANCISCO. Nov. 16. (Special.)
With victory of Mayor Taylor. District
Attorney William H. Langdon. and the
Ooort Government ticket the battle against
machine politics In California has only
begun. At the same time that San Fran
cisco gave the machine an upper cut on
the Jaw. Sacramento landed with a solar
plexus blow by .electing Clinton N. White
mayor. White was the candidate of the
reform forces. This week the slogan of
"Free California" has been sounded and
the. battle Is to be continued In an effoct
to wrest control of the state from William
F. Herrln and the Southern Pacific.
The Southern Pacific, as every one in
the United States knows, has dominated
California politics ever since the steel
rails crossed the continent. The railroad
has stretched Its tentacles Into every
branch of the government. Its stronghold
has been the state legislature and next
to that It has regarded as necessary to
Its policy the control of municipal affairs
In San Francisco. Ls Angeles and Sacra
mento. Through its attorneys and paid
agents, phief of whom Is William F. Her
rln, It has run California to suit Itself.
Its agents have Included men of national
fame, ns George Knight, who seconded
the nomination of President Roosevelt at
the last National Convention. In Ban
Francisco. Knight, George Hatton and
Jere Burke have acted as Herrin"s chief
lleutntants. In Los Angeles Walter
Parker has taken care of the railroad
programme. In Sacramento a subservient
mayor and city council have rendered a
boss almost unnecessary.
Fight Against Southern Pacific.
The tight against the Southern Pacific
Is to be conducted along a well defined
line. The campaign against the octopus
will be waged by the IJneoln-Roosevelt
League, which is made up of a number of
Independent leaders in the Republican
party. The league has the backing of a
chain i newspapers throughout the state
and these papers are prepared to co
operate. The elections of Tuesday, November 5,
gave the purposes of the league such a
boost that no time was lost in spreading
Its propaganda. The machine was behind
McCarthy In San Francisco and agtflnst
White In Sacramento.
The first gun In the state campaign
against the Southern Pacific was fired by
Francis J. Heney. who has been taken
Into the league despite the fact that he
is a Democrat. Heney spoke at Sacra
mento and aroused tremendous enthu
siasm by his declaration that the fight
must he continued until the railroad has
been stripped of Its political pov jr.
The first active step to be taken, ac
cording to the programme mapped out
by the league, will be the enactment of
a direct primary law. Heney has advo
cated tills as the first step and the way
was first prepared for such a law In the
last legislature. When the legislature con
venes in regular session In January, 1909,
It will pass a direct primary law. The
sentiment for the law has been created
throughout the state and the legislature
will be forced to pass the statute whether
It would or not.
Prepared for the Contact.
Not In the last fifty years have the
people of the state been in so advantage
ous a position In their struggle with the
railroad. San Francisco municipal politics
"-TO ioo Jna. Also tne Hammer, Wfl Mope. Back to tne Bank. Hm He the Counter lm 7 Not Yet, hut Soon.
for tlfe time at least is free from the con
taminating Influence. Sacramento has
taken its first step toward freedom by
the election of a reform mayor. The city
of Oakland has but recently won a big
victory In the battle with the Southern
Pacific for control of the east side of San
Francisco Harbor. The railroad has held
It for half a century, but a decision re
cently handed down by the Circuit Court
of Appeals ousted the Harrlman company
and turned the best part of the bay shore
over to the city of Oakland. This decision,
by the way, was gained on appeal from
the TUllng of the local circuit Judge, who
held for the railroad.
The next battle against the railroad
power will be waged In Los Angeles.
Should the Independent forces be able to
rout the machine In Its last municipal
stronghold the way will be prepared for
a general attack, against the octopus in
state politics.
Even now signs are at hand that the
grip of the railroad on the state govern
ment to weakening. Jt was omy this eck
that the State Railway Commission, sup
posed to be owned body and soul by
Harrlman, suddenly surprised the state
by squirming under the lash of public
criticism and taking the Initial steps look
ing to the prosecution of the company for
giving rebates within the state.
California has had a State Railway
Commission for twenty-eight yerrs. Pro
vision was made for this commission by
Dennis Kearny in the constitutional con
vention of 1879. It Is part of the constitu
tion and its powers as defined at that
time correspond exactly to those recently
granted to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. But the California commission
has npver done anything except drew Its
salary. It has been" urraer the complete
domination of the railroad. Of late the
exposures of rebating within the state
have so aroused public opinion that t.,e
commission has been Impelled to act
despite Its Inclinations in the matter.
Getting Korces in Line.
It has sent a request to the Interstate
Commerce Commission for the record of
the transgressions of the Southern Pacific
within the state. These records contain
the complete story and the facts have
been absolutely established. With the
facts In their possession the state com
mission wHl be forced to pro- cute, again
in spite of Itself.
All these things have contributed to
the general cause for which the Uncoln
Roosevelt League is working. Another
effect of the rebate exposures has been
the formation of a traffic bureau by those
shippers who were discriminated against.
They will take steps to protect themselves
and Insist upon the punishi lent of all
rebaiers.
The big fight against the railroad will
come as soon as the direct prlmar has
been put into effect. In California as i
other states, the railroad has used the
convention for its purposes. It deals in
delegates. The direct primary, it Is ex
pected, will destroy the market for dele
gates. Then California will make an ef
fort to elect a Legislature which shall be
truly representative and a Congressional
delegation free from the locomotive
smudge. Both of California's Senators
start and back when when the whistle
sounds. The cry will be for the men who
will not heed the screech of the locomotive.
INSANE, KILLS HIMSELF
COLUMBIA PROFESSOR TRIES
ALSO TO MURDER FAMILY.
Luclan Underwood, Crazed by Fi
nancial Troubles, Cuts Wife's
Throat and Ends Life.
RrDPDING, Conn.. Nov. IS. Crazed
temporarily as the result of financial
trouble during the last month or two,
Luclan Underwood, professor of botany
at Columbia University, New York, this
afternoon attempted to kill his entire
family, and after cutting his wife's throat
ended his own life by stabbing himself
under the right ear. Professor Under
wood returned from New York on Thurs
day and complained of not feeling well,
and It Is said, acted strangely.
This afternoon while his wife and
daughter were In the dining-room he took
a knife from tne table and rushed at
his wife. He drew the weapon across
her throat and then ran over to where
his daughter sat. making an attack upon
ber. Mrs. Underwood struck the pro
fessor's arm as he was about to stab his
daughter. Going to another room the
professor cut his throat, and when the
physicians arrived at the house he was
dead. Mrs. Underwood will recover. The
daughter was unharmed.
Professor Underwood had made his
home here for the last year and had been
connected with Columbia for elgnt years.
He was 45 years old.
HARRY MURPHY'S PEN DESCRIBES A
ONE EXPERIENCE
IS HOT E
Anna Gould Is to Marry
Another Frenchman.
WILDEST MAN IN ALL EUROPE
Prince de Sagan Worst of the
Long Line of Rakes.
COUSIN OF COUNT BONI
Little Man Regards Him as Model
and Tries to Emulate Ways, but
the Prince Is Said to Be
Unequaled as a Spender.
NEW TORK, Nov. 16. (Special.)
That Mme. Anna Gould Intends to be
stow her hand, heart and what remains
of the fortune which was not dissi
pated by her former hupband, Count
Bonl de Castellane, on the profligate
Prince de Sagan, Is a rumor that will
not down among New York's 400.
Within three months Mme. Gould will
be at liberty to marry again, according
to the decree of divorce granted her
by the French courts. It Is supposed
she is desirous of keeping secret her
Intention to wed the princely spend
thrift and heart-breaker until she can
cast on all shackles attaching her In
any way to little .Count Bonl. . Her
brothers and sisters are vehemently
opposed to her throwing herself and
her money on Helle de Talleyrand
Perlgord, Prince de Sagan. and It is
said they are using every endeavor to
keep here away from the adventurer,
who is rumored to surpass in wicked
ness, wlldness and extravagance any
other man in Europe.
Spends More Money Than Boni.
The painful experience of the family
with the frantic expenditures of Gould
money by Count Bonl will be nothing
to the reckless sq-randertng of what re
mains by the dashing and artistically
made-up Prince, according to society
gossip. Where Bonl de Castellane made
ducks and drakes of the Gould cash,
Prince de Sagan is likely to use air
ships to get away with It faster.
Five months ago, when the rumors
were first current that Anna Gould was
Infatuated with the Prince, Edmond
Kelly, the French-American lawyer
who obtained her divorce for her, said:
"If Prince De Sagan captures Mme.
Gould It will prove to be the most ex
pensive matrimonial match ever made
with an American millionairess and a
titled foreigner. Prince de Sagan can
spend more money before 9 o'clock in
the morning than Count Bonl could
spend In a week."
Inherits His Dissipation.
Prince de Sagan has already dissi
pated two fortunes two fortunes left
him by his grandfathers. He also In
herited his wickedness from a long
line of ancestors. His great-grand
uncle, Marquis Maurice de Talleyrand,
Napoleon's foreign minister, was con
sidered the most monumental liar,
turncoat and cynic in French history.
In his own form of dissipation Prince
Helle surpasses some of his ancestors.
It is said. He Is the oldest son of the
Duke J. Talleyrand, who, under the
name of Prince de Sagan, was the most
notorious character In Paris society.
His admirers called him "the modern
Alclblades." He is now helpless from
paralysis.
Model of Little Bonl.
Prince Helle is a cousin of Boni de
Castellane, but he far outclasses the
latter in wild and foolish actions. It
is said that he even became reckless
enough to forget the name of Max
Debaudy, the self-styled King of the
Sahara. It Is estimated that when he
had money he kept as many as 12
j establishments in Paris, which were
I decorated luxuriously. He Is 48 years
old. but Is well manicured and well
masssged. Little Bonl looked on him
as an Ideal of manhood and used some
of his wife's money to fit up different
apartments In Paris similar to those of
the Prince, the existence of which be
came known during the hearing of the
divorce case.
EVANS GUEST OF MR. AOKI
Informal Dinner Given Merely as
Personal Tribute.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 16. Admiral Rob
ley Evans, commander-in-chief of
the Atlantic battleship fleet, which on
December 16 Is to sail from Hampton
Roads for the Pacific Coast, was the
guest of honor tonight at a dinner given
by Viscount Aoki, the Japanese Ambas
sador, and Viscountess Aoki. at their
home.
The table tecoratlons were white
chrysanthemums, i At the embassy it
CongrrHKman W. P. Hepburn,
who predict remedies Congress will
provide for money stringency.
was announced that the dinner would be
quite Informal, It being simply a per
sonal tribute to Admiral Evans, whose
acquaintance with the Ambassador dates
back some years.
FEDERAL GRAIN" INSPECTION
Roosevelt,T.elIs McCumber He Will
Recommend It.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 16. President
Roosevelt Indicated to Senator McCum
ber, of North Dakota, today that his
message to Congress would contain a
recommendation for Federal Inspection
of grain entering Into Interstate com
merce. Mr. McOumboc has a bill pro
viding for the Inspection by the De
partment of Agriculture, the expenses
thereof to be reimbursed to the Gov
ernment through a system of fees
which the purchaser will pay.
GIVE PROPERTY TO BANK
Officers or California Safe Deposit
Aid Reorganization.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16. According
to a statement made tonight the Cali
fornia Safe Deposit and Trust Company,
which suspended two weeks ago, owes its
depositors J9.951.000. David F. Walker,
president. J. Dalzell Brown, general man
ager, and other officers of the institution,
it was stated, today, transferred their
homes and other property to the value
of W25.OO0 to the Metropolitan Securities
Company, to be converted into cash for
the benefit, of the depositors. When the
stockholders pay the J20 a share that they
have been asked to contribute and the
unissued treasury stock has been sub
scribed for, the assets of the bank are
given at 3,591,O0O or $1.43 for every $1
deposits-
AFTER TRUST FIRST THING
Oklahoma's Attorney-General Sue
Coal-Mlnlng Company.
M ALESTER, Okla., Nov. 16 The first
act of Attorney-General West, who was
sworn In here today, was to bring suit
against 47 coal mining companies in Okla
homa, alleging In his complaint a com
bination In restraint of trade and In
selling the output of mines.
The result of the suit Is looked for
ward to with much Interest, as the price
and sale of coal from this section of
the new state affects the business inter
ests of the entire Southwest.
William Hogan Reld, Lawyer.
LYNCHBURG, Va.. Nov. 16. kludge
William Hogan Reld. aged 55 years, for
merly judge of a court at Tacoma,
Wash., died here today of paralysis. He
came here a short time ago from Inde
pendence. Va.. to practice law.
FEW INTERESTING THINGS FROM THE NEWS OF THE DAY
POLITICAL CHIEF
ENDS TROUBLES
Shoots Daughterjhen
Takes Poison.
END OF MAJOR M'LAUGHLIN
Deliberately Prepares and No
tifies Intimate Friend.
HIS FINANCES TANGLED
Leader of California Republican?
Kills Daughter, Who Would Not
Leave Him, Then Dies Was
Father of Vast Schemes.
SANTA CRUZ, Cal.. Nov. 16. About
10:50 o'clock this morning Major Frank
McLaughlin, prominent politician and
capitalist, shot his daughter, Agnes, In
the temple, the bullet coming out on the
opposite of her head, and soon afterward
committed suicide.
Dr. Coungdon examined the girl's
wound and foftnd the bullet in her hair.
She died this evening. 4
Major McLaughlin telephoned to Ex
Lleutenant Governor Jeter to come down
Immediately to his house, stating that he
wanted to see him. Mr. Jeter replied
that he was. very busy and could not
come. Major McLaughlin then said: "I
have killed my daughter Agnes, and I
Intend to kill myself." When he was
talking to Mr. Jeter, he told him tb bring
a doctor along with him.
Mr. Jeter and a friend Immediately
Jumped into a buggy and drove to Major
McLaughlin's house, where they arrived
In time to see him breathing his last.
The major had taken prussic acid.
Leaves Various Letters.
In the rooms near where the body was
found a number of letters were discov
ered, addressed to different persons. One
letter was addressed to MePherson &
Waldron, proprietors of the Santa Crux
Sentinel, which read:
"Dear Friends: Please think of me as
kindly as you can. During my life I did
much good and but . little evil. Best
wishes and regards. Frank McLaughlin."
Mr. Jeter also received a letter which
Is in substance that on McLaughlin's
breast would be found a key that would
fit his' private desk, in which he would
find his Jewelry. He asked Mr. Jeter to
take charge of his affairs. In his letter
to Mr. Jeter he said:
"Give my diamond ring to my colored
servant girl, as that Is all that I have
to leave her."
Financially Embarrassed.
He wrote to Dr. F. E. Morgan here
that he was financially embarrassed and
that he was going to "end It all." His
wife died Just two years ago, and he
cherished her memory sacredly. The
daughter whom he shot was 32 years old.
Major McLaughlin was one of the best
known men in California and a leader of
the Republican party. He was Interested
In many extensive mining operations and
in other enterprises. With Chief Justice
Beatty. of the State Supreme Court, and
Rev. Peter C- York, he acted as arbi
trator in the settlement last year of the
long pending trouble between the United
Railroads and their employes.
During his political career Major Mc
Laughlin served as chairman of the Re
publican National committee. He man
aged the campaign of Daniel Burns, who
sought to become United States Senator,
and took a deep Interest in the political
affairs of all sections of the state. He
was a familiar figure at the National
Capital and took part In many confi
dential consultations in which Pacific
Coast matters were discussed. His per
sonality was attractive and his genial
manner made him many friends. For
some time past he had resided in Santa
Crux.
ACTS CALM AND DELIBERATE
McLaughlin Takes to Eternity
Daughter Devoted to Him.
SAN FRANCISCO. Cal.. Nov. 16. (Spe-
clal.) The deliberate manner In which
the murder of his daughter and his sui
cide were carried out has led Major Mc
Laughlin's friends t' believe that worry
over financial matters had unhinged his
mind. Stealing stealthily to the couch on
which his daughter reposed. McLaughlin
pressed the pistol to her temple and
pulled the trigger as she slept. She
barely moved, and, as she lay dying.
McLaughlin calmly walked to the tele
phone and called up Ex-Lieutenant Gov
ernor Jeter, who a.jo resides In Santa
Crus.
"My dear Jeter." said McLaughlin over
the telephone, I have Just murdered my
daughter and now I am going to take
poison." With that McLaughlin hung up
the telephone.
Mr. Jeter rushed to the McLaughlin
home and there found the major in the
throes of death from cyanide of potas
sium and the daughter Agnes beyond
humani aid. The major passed away in
10 minutes and Miss Agnes lingered until
(Concluded on Page 2.)
CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 55
decrees; minimum. 47.
TODAY'S Occasional rains; winds mostly
southerly.
Foreign.
Romance led to arrest of French spy. Sec
tion 4. Dajte 1.
Remarkahle swindle in London. Section 4,
page 1
Wedding of princess of Orleans and Prince
of Spain Section 1. page 2
Anna Gould to marry Prince de Sagan, a
worse spendthrift than Bonl. Section 1,
page 1
Steamer Mauretania sails from Liverpool.
Section I. nagf 4.
National.
Oklahoma admitted to statehood ; Governor
Assails Roosevelt. Section 4, page 8.
Mexico cedes Magdalena Bay to United
States. Section L nage 2.
Politics.
San Francisco reformers now
smash California machine.
prepare
Section
page L
Hearst by no means politically dead.
Sec-
tlon 1. page 2.
Hepburn says Congress will regulate stock
lasuev and tax stock gambling. Section
1. page 7
Mayor Taylor rebuffs office-seekers and Cit
izens' Alliance. Section 1, page i.
Domestic.
Crime discovered In failure of New York
banks. Section 2. ' page 3.
Labor Federation declares against Govern
ment ownership of railroads and minea.
Section 1. page 2.
Wife of Witson, of California, retorts to
charges in divorce suit. Section 1,
page 4.
Governor Smith, of Philippines,
in Manl'a theater due to
stops panic
earthquake.
Section 1. uage 2.
Pacific Coast.
Ralph W. Steele, confessed murderer of
Frank Todd, hangs himself In Jail; oth'r
sensations promised. Section 1, page E
Black Hand Society unearthed In SeaUte.
Section 1. page 6.
Portland business men visit Mosler orchards.
Section 2. page 2.
Major Frank McLaughlin. California Repub
lican leader, murders daughter and com
mits suicide. Section 1, page 1.
San Francisco moves to annex suburbs and
rival New York. Section 1. page 2.
Fiancee of Secretary Met calf's son denies
Secretary opposes wedding. Section 1,
page 4.
Sport.
Yale defeats Princeton In hard -fought
game. Section 2, page 3.
Dartmouth defeats Yale. Section 2. page 3.
Krebs and McLean win bicycle race. Sec
tion 1. page 2.
University of Oregon defeat Washington, 6
to o. Section 4, page 7
Spokane Athletic Club defeats Multnomah
Club, 4 to 0. Section 2. page 3.
Plans and scope of proposed Portland
Country Club. Section 2. page 2.
Referee discusses football situation. Section
4, page 6.
Corvallls reserfts criticism of O. A- C. foot
ball team. Section 4. page 6-
West Side High School defeats East Side
High at football. 11-0. Section 4, page T.
Commercial and Marine.
Heavy trading In wheat expected this week.
Section 4. page 9.
Chicago wheat market closes steady In spite
of free selling. Section 4. page 9.
General tone of stock market Is good. Sec
tion 4, page 0-
Three grain carriers reach Astoria; Waver
tree In without a charter. Section 4,
page 8-
Portland and Vicinity.
First National Bank receives two tons of
gold. Section 1, page 8.
Health Board to continue warfare on rats.
Section 1. nage 8.
City Attorney says city owns space under
sidewalks. Section 1, page 10.
Thieves Jell stolen stamps and outwit po
lice. Section 2. page 12.
Methodist Home Mission Board appropriates
$ 48.500 for work among negroes of the
United States. Section 1. page 8.
Hood RTver and Willamette Valley apple
growers bury the hatchet. Section 2,
page 4.
Methodist bishops think money stringency
merely temporary condition. Section 1,
page 8.
Real estate prices on sound basis. Section
:. page 9.
Progress of work on Mount Hood Railway.
Section 3. page 10.
City may buy business structure for Jail.
Section , page
Site bought for Catholic college. Section 3,
page 9. '
Dugdale and Lucas disappointed over result
of National Commission's meeting. Sec
tion 4, page 6-
TODD'S SLAYER
ENDS HIS LIFE
Steele Hangs Himself
in Montesano Jail.
MADE ROPE FROM BEDCLOTHING
Left Letter Protesting Undy
ing Love for Victim's Wife.
SENSATIONS ARE PROMISED
Suspected Man's Attorney Hefu.sed
to Conduct Defense, and Says
Another Was Implicated in
the Diabolical Murder.
MONTESANO, Wash.. Nov. IS. (Spe
cial. ) Herbert Normal, alias Ralph W.
Steele, who was in jail here charged
with the murder of Frank Todd, of
Hoqulam, committed suicide by hang
ing himself. The body was discov
ered just after dinner. A doctor wa
called and pronounced hlm dead.
Steele was confined In one of the
steel cages and there was a small
stool Inside. By standing on this and
tearing his bedclothes Into strips, he
fastened them over the top of the
cage, then tying his hands in some
way under his knee he kicked the
chair away. He had been dead about
20 minutes when found.
On Saturday, Sepetmbcr 28, Andrew
Strong, who had also confessed to be
the murderer of Todd, committed sui
cide by hanging himseu at about the
same hour.
Steele was almost a giant In stature,
standing over six feet and weighing
over 200 pounds.
HOQCIAM IS NOT SVRPRISK.D
Steele Had Told lli Attorney He
Would Take His Own Life.
HOQUIAM, Wash., Nov. 16. (Spe
cial. News of the suicide of Ralph
W. Steele reached here at noon today
and was received with expressions of
Joy. The self-destruction of Steele
came with no surprise, as many had
said he did not have the "nerve" to
stand trial. One of the last letters
written by Steele, and found under the
carpet in bis room, was made public to
night. It is also remarked openly that
had not Mrs. Todd became suspicious
that Steele only wanted her money
she would have gone away with him.
Following Is a portion of the letter:
Now I want to say here and now and for
all time that I will never, never give you
up and live. If ever the time comes that I
make up my mind that I must give you up,
then life will be very short. I love you to
madm-ps, to tntmnlty, I suppose, but I can't
help It. I love you Just .ns same with all
the heart and noul that U In me. I know
that I have said and written some awful
mean things to you. hut the truth ts that t
love you so and want you so bad that when
I get to worrying about you it drives ma
mad.
Steele Had Planned Suicide.
Steel had contemplated suicide for
some time and when Marshal MeKen
ney took his shoes and clothes to Port
land several weeks ago for examina
tion, he told his attorney that he was
going to kill himself.
W. H. Able, attorney for Steele, who
refused to conduct his case this morn
ing, which was the immediate cause of
his suicide, said to a correspondent to
night: "Frank Todd was chloroformed,
dragged out to the woodshed and thera
foully murdered and Steele did not do
the deed alone. The crime was one of
the most diabolical ever known in the
history of this county, and some very
damaging evidence will be brought out
in the near future. I spent two hours
with Steele yesterday and listened to
his confession with horror. It un
nerved me. as I had never heard such
a tale. Sometime soon I will make a
(Concluded on Page 2.)
iunt One of the Thirteen Riahop.