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xojLT OBEGONIAX, PORTIiAXD, APRIIi 1, 1917.
500 CIVIC BODIES
PLEDGE BEST AID
READER TO APPEAR AT SUNNYSIDE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
MORE LIBERAL LAW
PAMPHLET ON PROPOSED BOND ISSUE IS i
FILED BY JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
"Good Roads Will Pall Oregon Out of the' Mud," Is One Catchy Phrase Used Increased Bank Accounts Prom-
ised Farmers.
FOR SHIPPING URGED
V
I
Oregon Patriotic Service
League Is Formed at Im
pressive Mass Meeting.
AMERICANISM IS KEYNOTE
Itesolutlons Arc Adopted In Sup
port of President General T.
M. Anderson Is Chosen to
Head New Organization.
Patriotic service that means some
thins, that leads to real fighting In
following the flag and In loving care
for dependent ones at home, these
were adopted as cardinal principles of
the Oregon Patriotic Service League,
formed as a permanent organization
last night at Lincoln High School audi
torium at a mass meeting in which
more than 500 organizations of the city
were represented.
True-blue Americanism was the dom
lnent note of the meeting. Rinsing reso
lutions of support to the President
were adopted and stirring addresses
that were full of patriotism were
cheered to the echo.
General T. M. Anuerson was named
as president emeritus of the new league
and Governor Withycombe was made
honorary president. Mayor Albee and
Philo Holbrook, chairman of the Coun
ty Commissioners, were named honor
ary vice-presidents.
A board of 30 prominent men were
elected as directors. They are: Gen
eral Charles F. Beebe, Franklin T.
Griffith, William D. Wheelwright, W.
W. Cotton. Ben Selling, Dr. E. K.
Scott, Ellsworth Benham, H. S. Hud
eon. S. C. Bratton. J. B. Kerr, Dean
Vincent, E. A. Clark, Guy W. Talbot,
M. H. Ward. Bev. John H. Boyd. Rev.
Father George F. Thompson, the Right
Rev. Walter T. Sumner, Rabbi Jonah
B. Wise, Mrs. J. N. Davis. Mrs. S. C.
Jackson. Mrs. George McMath. Mrs.
Alma Lee Stevens. Edward Cooking
ham. E. H. Sensenich. C. P. Howard.
Dr. J. E. Hall, Charles E. Cochran. H.
C. Wortman, L. E. Beach, Mrs. Harriet
llendee.
United Service Is Aim.
A vice-president will be elected from
each of the organizations represented
In the league and a president, secretary,
treasurer and such other officers as
are necessary will be elected by the di
rectors. The directors also will adopt
a constitution and bylaws, the general
purpose of which shall be to co-ordinate
into one efficient body patriotic
men and women of the state to give
unselfish patriotic service.
Resolutions were adopted voicing the
unqualified indorsement of the league
for the course of the President and
Congress in upholding American rights,
urging support for the enlistment of
men for the Navy and Army in response
to the President's call for men. and the
active endeavor of the league was
pledged to all who enlist to prevent
their loved ones left behind from com
ing to want, naming this as a public
duty. The Governor and the city were
called upon to secure appropriations
sufficient for this purpose. The league
also went on record for National pre
paredness. Support 1st Pledged.
The following telegram was sent to
President Wilson after being approved
with enthusiasm at last night's meet
ing: "The Oregon Patriotic Service League,
organized for the purpose of being a
clearing-house for all organizations,
civic, social and religious, in Portland
and Oregon, for patriotic service and
assistance to the Government in any
way it may be of service in the event
of war. sends to you its greetings, and
pledges to you and Congress its hearty
(support In any course which you and
Congress may decide upon as best up
holding the honor and dignity of our
beloved country. We ask that you be
not disturbed by the appeal recently
sent out to the West as a full-page
newspaper advertisement by the
Emergency Peace Federation. Seventy
first avenue. New York. We resent this
advertisement as an effort to embarrass
you and we assure you that there is
enough red blood on the Pacific Coast
to follow In your lead whersoever it
may take us."
Adreasra Are Patriotic.
Charles E. Cochran, president of the
Rotary Club, was chairman of last
night's meeting, as that organization
took the lead in making plans for the
organization of the league on a perma
nent basis. The committee on organ
ization that reported the outline that
was adopted consisted of Dr. E. K
Scott, chairman: Charles F. Berg. S. C.
Bratton. H. H. Ward, J. R. Tomlinson
and R. O. E. Cornish.
The addresses of last night were not
able for ringing patriotism and they
held a challenge to the German war
lords who have violated American
rights on the sea. None was more de
nunciatory than Wallace McCamant,
Justice of the Supreme Court of this
etate. In his remarks.
"The mightiest military nation In the
world today has run amuck." he said.
"She has no respect for treaties and no
more veneration for international law
than has a burglar for the eighth com
mandment. The world will not be a
comfortable place to live in until Ger
many shall be chastened.
"The world must have insurance
against such crimes as we are witness
ing daily, and the only insurance I can
pee is to take the power from the
Junker party in Germany and place It
In the hands of the German people.
Support President, la Plea.
"Some of us differ with the Presi
dent on many subjects, but we owe
him every possible support In his ef
forts to uphold the National honor and
the flag of our country. Let us face
the future manfully."
Bishop W. T. Sumner, too, spoke
warmly along like lines. He said the
Nation stands at the parting of the
ways, and within 48 hours Congress
will cast the die. He said Americans
do not yet realize the seriousness of
the present situation, and quoted Am
bassador Gerard to the effect that if
we had a million men under arms we
would not now be threatened with
war.
Mrs. James N. Davis, representing
the Daughters of the American Revo
lution, spoke of the work of that or
ganization in helping the families of
soldiers who were on active duty . on
the Mexican border. She said they
called upon 311 families many times
jind helped many persons over a num
er of hard places.
v Patriotic to a marked degree were
the remarks of Elmer Marshton Whit
worth, president-general of the Sons
of the American Revolution.
"Let us not lose our heads, but use
our heads." he said.
"Patriotic Service and Catholic
Teaching" was the subject of the ad
dress given by Father George Thomp
son. He spoke of the loyalty every
Catholic pays to the country, and
spoke earnestly for the maintenance
1 1, .1
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A dramatic Interpretation of Charles Rann Kennedy's one-act play, "The
Terrible Mee ," will be given by Mrs. Katherine Boyersmith April 6. Good
Friday, at the Sunnyside Congregational Church, East Thirty-second and
Taylor streets.
Mrs. Boyersmith Interpreted "The Terrible Meek" last year at the First
Methodist Church, and the drama made a profound impression.
The public: is invited. The doors will open at 8 P. M. Admission is free.
of the basic principles of the Gov
ernment. '
"All differences among us, whether
political, social or religious, must be
eliminated." said D. Soils Cohen, the
first speaker of the evening.
Compulsory Training I rged.
W. P. LaRoche spoke for compulsory
military training. He pointed to the
difficult position the country now finds
itself in because of the lack of prepa
ration for eventualities.
A' resolution presented by the Patri
otic Conservation League asking sup
port for the objects of that organiza
tion was adopted.
Chairman Cochran read a telegram
he had just received in response to an
inquiry of his to the National Security
League asking who is behind the Emer
gency Peace Federation, which' has
blazoned advertisements over news
paper pages lately asking that there
be no war. The information contained
in the message was to the effect that
Mrs. Henry Villard is president of the
league and Luella Fay Secor is secre
tary. Further than this nothing could
be learned as to who is behind It or
where the funds come from.
The Junior Artisan Band, directed by
Percy A. Campbell, played patriotic
airs and H. E. Hudson and R. Thomas
sang duets. American flags were dis
played profusely throughout the audi
torium.
DR. LEE SCOUTS MERGER
ALBAJTV COLLEGE-PACIFIC UNIVER
SITY XJXIOX HELD UNLIKELY.
President of Presbyterian Institution
Declares Small Minority. Only
Agitates Consolidation.
There are insurmountable obstacles
to the proposed merger of Albany Col
lege, Albany, and Pacific University,
Forest Grove, according to Dr. Wallace
H. Lee, president of the former insti
tution, who arrived in Portland last
night.
Chief among these obstacles Presi
dent Lee declared to be the legal ob
stacle to the transfer of the property.
He said that in all probability if the
two schools were merged at Forest
Grove, it would be impossible to trans
fer title of the 48-acre campus of Al
bany College and its two buildings to
the new institution and that the prop
erty consequently would be a total
loss. Of the $265,000 endowment of the
Albany College he estimated that prob
ably not more than $100,000 could be
transferred.
"The question, of course," he said,
"would be a matter for the courts to
decide, which would mean litigation."
President Lee said that, contrary to
reports, the trustees of Albany College
were not favorable to the proposed
merger at Albany. The president said
that there was a small Presbyterian
minority in the state which favored the
merger at Forest Grove, but that the
bulk of the people who had been sup
porting the college for years were op
posed to such a plan.
The question will come up for eon
ideration at the meeting of the Pres
byterian Synod of Oregon in July. A
committee appointed to investigate the
proposed merger will make a majority
report at that time favoring the plan.
Three of the members of the committee
of eight are considering the advisa
bility of making a minority report op
posing the merger, President Lee said.
BRIDGE CHIEF IS LET OUT
Change In County Employes Under
stood to Be Political.
In a special order of business yester
day the Multnomah County Commis
sioners demanded the resignation of
Madison Welch as Superintendent of
Bridges and Ferries, to be effective
April 6. and appointed Francis Capell
his successor at a salary of $125 a
month.
The change is understood to be
chiefly political, and in the resolution
adopted by the Commissioners is in
corporated a promise to appoint Welch
to the first vacancy in the department
of bridges and ferries, or wherever his
services may be used to advantage.
PORTLAND SESSION IS PLAN
University Will Conduct Summer
School Course for Teachers.
The University of Oregon extension
division has arranged to give a series
of Sumer school courses in Portland
this year for the benefit of teachers
who do not feel able to take the resi-
dence work in Summer school at Eu
gene.
The course will continue from June
IS to August 3, with a week's inter
mission for the National Education As
sociation convention. The advance
registration for the course is about 360
Dr. George Rebec will be in charge
and will teach psychology; Mable
Holmes Parsons, English; Dr. J. P.
O liar a. history, and the classes in edu
cation will be taught by an instructor
who is still to be selected.
$40,000 BUILDING ORDERED
Contract Let for East Side "Ware
house by Rasmussen & Co.
The general contract for the con
struction of the new warehouse for
Rasmussen & Co. to be erected at East
Eleventh and East Irving streets was
let yesterday to Bentley & Andrews,
contractors, for approximately $40,000.
The warehouse is to be 100 by 140
feet in floor space and Is to be six sto
ries one one elevation and two stories
on the other. Plans were prepared by
A. H. Lamm, architect.
I. Aronson on Patriotic Roll.
I. Aronson. jeweler, yesterday an
nounced to his employes that he would
pay full salary to any who enlisted
for the full time they were away. Ern
est Deeds, one of his salesmen, who
had been anxious to get into the
militia, but held back because of re
sponsibilities to others, was quick, to
take advantage of the offer and en
listed, joining one of the Coast Artil
lery companies. Young Deed's fore
fathers figured in the Revolutionary
and Civil Wars and several cousins
died In the Spanish-American War.
Auxiliary of Battery A to Meet.
The auxiliary to Battery A, Field
Artillery, will meet at the home of Mrs.
H. Dannemann, at 794 East Caruthers
street. Tuesday night at 8 o'clock. The
residence, is on the Brooklyn carllne.
A programme will be given.
CLUBMAN ftXJIT SCHOOL LEAD
ERSHIP iFOR WIDER. IN
SURANCE: FIELD.
Photo by Van Dyke Studio.
Arthur 31. Cannon.
Arthur M. Cannon, who recent
ly resigned the principalshlp of
the new Couch School to take up
insurance work, came originally
from Shelbyville, 111., where he
was principal of the city high
school for several years. In 1911
he was selected by Superintend
ent Rigler to take charge of the
Holladay School, where he re
mained four years. When the new
Couch School was nearlng com
pletion two years ago he accom
plished the organization of the
work in the new building.
Mr. Cannon Is a member of the
TMiiriva tri m m 1 1 f .a r f f H is PHn.
cipals' Association, chairman of t
the board of managers of the
Portland Educational Association,
in the organization of which he
was a prime mover, secretary of
the board of trustees of the Re
tirement Fund Association and a
member of several sub-committees
of the local National Educa
tion Association general commit
tee. Mr. Cannon Is Interested In
many lines of social activity. He
holds active memberships In the
Progressive Business Men's Club,
the Trails Club, the Social Work
ers' Club, the Union League Club,
the Oregon Social Hygiene So
ciety. Delta Upsilon Club, Royal
Arch Masons, and other frater
nal organizations.
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if'"1
tl A Si4
William D. Wheelwright Fore
casts Revival of America's
Importance at Sea.
HANDICAP IS POINTED OUT
'
Speaker at Banquet in Honor ol
Builders of Big Steel Ship De
clares Incessant Work for Re
vision of Laws Xecessary.
Revision of the shipping laws of the
United States so that the shipbuilding
industry can thrive and the Lnitea
States flag can be restored to the mari
time commerce of tne world was the
emphatic appeal that characterized the
address of William D. Wheelwright at
th bnnnuet romDlimenta ry to the offi
cers of the Northwest Steel Company
and the'willamette Iron & Steel Works
at the Chamber of Commerce last night.
Mr. Wheelwright reviewed the mari
time history of the world beginning
with the period of supremacy estab
lished hv the ancient city of Tyre. He
followed the course of commercial ship
ping down through the ages to tne
enactment of the first laws to favor
shipping in the United States in the
latter part of the 18th century.
He dwelt at length on the successful
era of shipping enjoyed by the United
States which was at Its height at the
time of the second victory over Great
Britain in 1812.
Period of Leadership Recalled.
Following this war, he pointed out.
the country engaged in successful com
petition with England for the East In
dian trade. He described many inter
esting incidents thaf proved tho prow
ess of the American clipper ship in the
early half of the last century.
The speaker told, with a lesser de
gree of pleasure, of the passing of
America's supremacy over to her rivals.
"We are here." he continued, "not to
prate of the glories that have paused
away, but to note the cause of th jir
passing.
"There is some question in my mina
as to whether the first cause of the de
cline in American shipbuilding and
shipowning was the war of 1861-5 or
the substitution of iron for wood as the
principal material. But anyhow the
war was the most imporia.ru. iui mo
time and the swiftest In effect. It was
lesss Important, however, than is gen
erally believed.
"In the long run, without any doubt, it
was the replacement of wood by iron
and later on the displacement of Iron
by steel that was in each case the im
portant factor.
"The higher cost of iron and steel was
of course an obstacle an important one
and only one among others out now
that has disappeared; America has be
come the cheapest product r of steel of
any country in the world and the handi
cap of higher labor wouia De to some
extent offset by the better capacity of
the laborer. But there still remains an
insurmountable obstacle; in other
words, the absolute extinction of our
present system of maritime laws, and
their replacement by a sane, sound,
reasonable and humane code that will
protect the Interests of all Including
the sailor under which the shipowners
of the Uni .ed . .ates can enter into com
petition with those of other nations on
something like equal terms.
"Today they are subject to laws that
have been enacted from time to time
beginning in 1789. most of them ar
chaic, many of them Intended to serve
special interests that were and are hos
tile to the general good, others impos
sible of execution; they have worked
toward that practical disappearance of
the American flag from the ocean which
had been accomplished before the sea
men's shipping act came into play and
completed the ruin, incidentally turning
the Pacific Ocean over to the Japnese.
But for the war and the conditions that
have followed, there isn't an American
ship that could engage in foreign com
merce in competition with the tonnage
of other and freer nations except at a
loss.
Liberal Laws Advocated.
"But I ask of what use are the stores
of coal and iron that through countless
aeons of uncounted years the earth
has garnered up for a purpose, of what
use the forests that In the mysterious
way of Nature, by light and heat and
moisture, have been made ready for
the hand of man. of what use the In
telligence, the brain, the Inventive fac
ulty of man himself If. after he has
surmounted all physical obstacles ana
turned out such a magnificent piece
of marine architecture as ,we saw
launched today he finds that she can
not be employed under his country's
colors In his own service or that of his
fellow citizens except under the tem
porary conditions caused by a war In
which we are not ourselves engaged?
"I am not unmindful of the fact that
the steamer whose builders we are
here to honor was of Norwegian reg
istry from the start. This would not
have been the case, however, but for
the handicap of the laws that govern
American shipping.
Plea for Fleet Made.
"I speak now only of the steel ship
building industry, which I am confi
dent, especially In so far as the. Pa
cific Coast is concerned, is distinctly
a war enterprise (except for the con
struction of coasting steamers). There
fore we have two duties to perform.
one to the so-called free American
citizen, that he be entitled to buy and
own ships and sail them under no
harder conditions than those to which
the citizens of other countries are sub
jected; the other to the American ship
builder, so that this great Industry may
be a part of our National life Just as
much as the manufacture of steel rails
or locomotives or motor cars or any
other article or thing that will give
American talent, enterprise and In
genuity an opportunity to excel.
"This cannot be done unless we can
build the ships and sail them after
they are built. So I appeal to the
Chamber of Commerce to work day and
night, in season and out of season, to
this end.
"The way Is plain: ask for the ap
pointment by the President of a com
mission of five men, who shall exam
ine the shipping laws of all maritime
countries, select the best points in each;
amend them to suit the conditions that
exist at the time absolutely up to
date and put the result of their delib
erations Into a proposed law for con
sideration by the Congress of the
United States a condition in which
law shall be, of course, the repeal of
all maritime regulations now on the
statute book that are inconsistent with
the new legislation."
Albany Slay Have Policewoman.
ALBANY, Or., March 31. (Special.)
Albany may have a policewoman to give
special attention to children on the
streets at night. A request for such an
appointment has been made to the City
Council by the Women's Christian Tem
perance Union, of this city, and the
Council is considering the necessity of
such a step.
j-w HE joint committee from the Ore
I gon Legislature, appointed to rep
resent the Legislature In prepar
ing the argument in behalf of the 86.
000,000 road.-bond issue for the official
pamphlet, has completed the argument
and filed it with Secretary of State
Olcott.
"Good roads will pull Oregon out of
the mud," is one of the catchy phrases
evolved by the committee.
"They will increase the bank ac
counts of the farmers by allowing them
the advantage of Winter prices for
their products which they cannot now
obtain on account of bad roads," is an
other telling point.
"Will assist the 'back-to-the-coun-try'
movement, because the people will
be able to enjoy the pleasures of the
city, yet live In the country," is still a
truth presented by the committee.
Members of the joint committee are:
Senators W. D. Wood. Julien A. Hurley
and E. D. Cuslck. and Representatives
W. E. Schimpff, Roy Ritner, O. Laur
gaard. C. C Clark and William H. Core.
Following Is the text of tho argu
ment in full:
(On official ballot Nos. and .)
Argument (affirmative).
Submitted by the Joint committee of the
Senate and House In behalf ot llouie bill
No. 530.
What Good Roads Will Do.
Will pull Oregon out of the mud.
Will assist "back to the farm" movement,
because the people will be able to enjoy ha
pleasures of the city yet live in the country.
Will promote economy because they will
save gasoline, tires and temper.
Will increase the bank accounts of the
farmers by allowing them tho advantage of
Winter prices for their products which they
cannot now obtain on account ef bad roads.
Will create fraternities among the coun
try and city people and cause all to wear a
smile that won't come oft.
Will return the bread caat upon the water
In a short time buttered on both sides.
Will make for the women in the back
seat, aa well as for the man In the front
seat, riding pleasurable by doing away
with the dust In dry weather, the mud In
wet weather and the Jar in all kinds of
weather.
Will make of Oregon the greatest dairy
ing center In the world, with multiplied
population. Income and wealth.
California and Washington are making
millions annually from canning small fruit
and vegetables. This will bo be possible
In Oregon with good roads.
With good roada for feeders and the Ce
lilo canal now open, the Columbia Rler
will transport a great commerce.
California has constructed one and la
building two more roada to connect our
Southern counties with its trading centers.
If Oregon would grow aa a. state It must
make commerce convenient within the state.
What $6,000,000 Bonding Law Will Do.
Will, hard surface 000 to 600 miles of
designated roads.
Will obtain money for road construction
at a less rate of Interest than in any other
way, as state bonds at the present time
will sell at such premium that the rate
of Interest will not exceed 3.85 per cent.
Will exploit Oregon's great natural at
tractions, her beauties of mountains and
dales, her lovely lakes, her Interminable
forest and her miles of coastline Summer
reaorta will become better known, more ac
cessible; and assist to make Oregon thej
playground ot America.
Will diminish mud boles, which are now
a third dimension depth to some of our
roads.
Will provide good roada for no greater
cost than we are now paying for poor ones.
Will insure three highways across the
Caacade fountains and a like number to
the coast.
Will open up the vast John Day country
and divert over that route at Ontario the
travel from the National Highway.
Will connect with Washinston'e highway
system north of Athena and over the in
terstate bridge at Portland, and with Cali
fornia's highway system at Ashland. In
this way we will be able to make use ot
the Immense highway Investments of our
sister states.
Will pro.lde roads of Inestimable service
In case of war. The designated roads are
today costing fortunes to each of tho coun
ties. By completing them these county
funds will be available for other important
lateral roads.
We have talked good roads for 60 years.
We have spent millions filling mud holes.
We are in the third place In population and
commerce among the coast states. This
bonding proposition Is the first comprehen
sive road programme ever submitted to the
people. It will complete tne roaaa wun
out Increasing the burden of general taxa
tion. The question herein submitted Is whether
the State Highway Commission snail, in
the next five years. Issue $6,000,000 in state
bonds for the purpose of hard surfacing
designated road., for which the counties
prepare the foundation in accordance with
the requirements of the Commission.
The act thus submitted to the people Is
one of several road measures approved by
the Legislature of 1017. The other road
laws, which become operative without sub
mission to the people. limit engineering
costs. Insure competition In paving and other
road contracta, reorganize tne miis mgn
way Commission, reform road building pro
cedure. provide additional revenues and
K.nerallv safeguard expendlturea of road
funds. Including proceeds of the proposed
$6,000,000 bond Issue.
General Road Flan Out.
An Intelligent understanding of the meas
ure before the people Involves also an
understanding of the road legislation nere
inbefore mentioned. Briefly, this legislation
is ri follows:
First House bill No. B02 provides a gen
eral system for construction, improvement
and repair of state highways. It creates
the State Highway Commission, recently ap
pointed by the Governor, defines its powers
and duties, provides that "the total cost
in any one year of maintaining the Com
mission for salaries or other overhead ex
penses shall not exreed 10 per cent of the
total funds available to the Commission
that year for Its work.'" It provides for
appointment of a highway engineer, the
building of roads by convict labor, co
oDeratlon with the respective counties, and
authorizes the Commission to apportion the
state hiahwsy fund and conttnuea the prea
ent one-fourth mill tax now levied and col
lected for the benefit of this fund.
Second House bill No. 21 accepts the
Shackelford law and authorizes issuance of
4 per cent state bonds to make available
a 'fund which will equal the apportionment
made by the Government for the state of
Oregon. This Federal set provides for the
apportionment of 8.".000,000 in the next
five years, ending June 30, 1021, among
the several states for construction of rural
post roads and forest roads upon condttlon
that the etate shall appropriate an equal
amount for such construction. Under this
law the etate of Oregon. In the next five
years, will receive for post roads $1,180.
S10.R5. and for forest roads $638,070. In all
$1. 810. 2S0. .VS. J"he Federal act likewise says:
"Engineering. Inspection and unforeseen con
tingencies shall not exceed 10 per cent of
the estimated cost of the work."
State May Do Its Own raving.
Third Senate bill No. provides for
genuine competition In letting paving con
tracts - and that all bids may be rejected
when the lowest is excessive. It requires
the State Highway Commission to adopt
standard specifications for laying and con
structing the several kinds of bard-surfaced
pavements. Including asphalt pave
ment and cement pavement. The bonding
bill aubmltted to the people provides that
It the bids are rejected the Commission
may construct the pavement "under Ita
own direction and supervision. "
Fourth House bill No. r09. known as the
motor vehicle law. doubles, tho motor vehicle
llcenae now in effect, and further saya
that "the provisions In this act contained
are declared to bo an exercise of the po
lice power of the state of Oregon." and
among other things provides that the money
derived from the licenses, after deducting
sdmlnlstrative expenses, shsll be paid Into
the highway fund. Similar license laws
regulating the use of and licensing auto
mobiles are in force In most of the states
and are uniformly held to be constitutional
aa an exercise of the police power of the
state. In faot. we have had a similar law
except as to amount of license since 101.1.
Some of the advocatea of poor roads urge
that the license law may be repealed. Trbe.
so may the constitution, the criminal code,
the bill of rights, or any of our other laws,
but they will not be repealed. Neither will
the auto llcenae law be repealed. The auto
owner does not want It repealed. He la
willing to pay. All he asks is that good
roada be built at a reasonable cost.
' Proper Safeguards Given.
These four measures, having been passed
by the Legislature and approved by the
Governor, are closed Issues. They are now
the operative acts under which road con
struction will be carried on. regardless of
whether or not the bona usuo Is autho
rized at this special election. Should this
$6,000,000 bond issue and tho highways
designated therein be approved, there will
have been provided comprehensive provi
sions for construction of hlghwsys: road
construction will have been standardized;
Federal aid and co-operation secured; the
cost of efficient engineering will have been
minimized, and co-operation between state.
Government and counties. together with
genuine competitive bidding, will have- be
come a reality; the acquirement of funds
for road construction at a low rate of In
terest and a method of paying both In
terest and principal of state bonds out of
current revenues already Imposed will have
also been secured, and this without addi
tional burden and with proper safeguarda
to the general taxpayer.
Roads Are Designated.
The only designation of post roada or
foreat roads la contained In the bonding act
now submitted to the people. If the bond
ing bill la rejected, the designation of post
and foreat roads will also be rejected.
Then the State Highway Commission and
the Government authorities will have com
plete power to expend the post road and
forest road money, amounting to tJ.oJS.
561.10. in any part ot the state upon roads
of their selection.
It should be clearly understood that the
one-quarter mill tax, the receipts from mo
tor vehicle licenses, and money from the
sale of bonds to match the Shackelford
act will be available to the commission
and will be expended by the Commission
regardless of an unfavorable vote oy tne
people on the bonding act.
Should the bonding act be approved.
J9.OfKl.000 will be available for bard sur
facing only such roads as are designated
therein aa aard-surf aced roads. ln post
and foreet roads designated In the bill will
be constructed by co-operstlcm with the
Federal authorities and the portion payable
by the state will be secured by the sale
of such amount of state bonds as Is needed
to match the Federal allotment.
Look Issue Squarely In Fare.
With these necessary legislative enact
ments provided, the voter need not hesitate
to Indorse thla. the most meritorious piece of
state-wide good road legislation yet offered.
The issue should be looked squarely in tne
face and without prejudice. There is noth
ing reprehensible in lending the credit of the
state to provide a necessity. It Is sound busi
ness when that necessity is a paying propo
sition. Private Individuals do not hesitate
to use their credit when they can see a
reasonable return on the r.oney borrowed.
Neighboring states hava authorized bonds
and are building roads. Why should not
Oregon do the same and provide for co
operation between state and counties. In
which the counties are to provide the grades
and the state do the paving?
It we are to hold our own with that prog
ress that should characterize the Pacific
Coast. if Oregon la to be put on a par with
California and Washington, we must take
this first constructive step In the building
of state-wide good roads, roada that' are
passable for 365 daya of the year and not a
quagmire part of the time.
Market Roada Are For Farmer.
Under the plan submitted to the voters
for building roads designated In this act.
the farmer has everything to gain and noth
ing to lose. According to a compilation by
the 8tate Tax Commission, agriculture In
Oregon pays on approximately 2a per cent
of the total taxable property, timber and
lumbering on 19 per cent, cities and towns
on 41 per rent and public utilities on 14
per cent. Designated aa they are to meet
the requirements of the state aa a whole,
theae main through arterlea will be built
from city limits to city limits, the cities
alone having authority over city - streets.
They will serve not only the agricultural dis
tricts through which they paas. but will also
serve centers of population the principal
market places. They will be market roada aa
well as through state roada not luxuries.
Multnomah County, which pays not only 40
per cent of the total amount of the one
quarter mill road tax. but alao the same
percentage of the motor vehicle license, has
relinquished all claim to expenditure of any
part of this $6,000,000 on the roads within
Its boundaries, yet the passage of this
measure will greatly benefit Multnomah
County in that its hard-surfaced roads al
ready built will be physically connected with
these other roads and bring It Into closer
communication with other centers of pop
ulation. No Increase of Taxes Dne.
As a complete answer to the argument put
forth by opponents to this bill to the effect
that the Issuance of the .0()0.tOO In bonds
will become an added burden to the general
taxpayer, we respectfully submit tho fol
lowing: We have ascertained from the records of
te office of the Secretary of State that the
Income from the present quarter-mill tax
is $'J20.000 per annum; that the Income
from auto licenses upon the present num
ber of automobiles at the Increased license
rate effective August 1 will be not less than
$.110,000 per annum, making a total of $:.."0,
000 per annum after 1H17 to be used in pay
ing Interest and principal of bonds. The
above funds will be sufficient not only to
pay the Interest and the principal of the
$8,000,000 bonda authorized by this act. but
will also pay the Interest and principal of
the $1,810,280.55 In bonda authorized to
meet the Government road appropria
tion. After paying these bonds there
will be a surplus of at least $2.7!.t,
402.66. Since 1011 the increase in the
number ot automobiles In the state of
Oregon has been 33 1-3 per cent a year.
With the completion of good roads this
increase will naturally be larger. However,
we have not taken any Increase Into account,
but have based our figures on the present
number of automobiles. In proof of these
figures we have prepared a table showing
the amount of Income and the amount re
quired for bond Interest and principal each
year. The bonds to meet the Shackelford
appropriation aa well as the paving bonds
must all be Issued In the next five years.
For the purposes of this computation we
have estimated that one-fifth of the bonds
to meet the Shackelford appropriation will
be Issued each year. The bomllng act re
quires that not more than $l.oK.ooo of
paving bonds shall be Issued In 1917 and
not more than $2,000,000 of additional bonds
In 101o. We have assumed that a addi
tional 2.0n.0O0 will be Issued In 101B and
S1.UOO.OOO In 1010. although a part of the
bonds might not be Ixsued until 1921. In
making this computation we have assumed
that all of the bonds Issued In 1017 will be
Issued on July 1 and that all of the bonds
thereafter will be Issued on April 1. Should
they be Issued later in the year the Interest
charge for that year will be ecu rnnvinriin.ljr
I less. No allowance has been made for Inter-
est on the large balance which will be on
nana all or the time during the life of these
bonds, which rangea from $34.1. 1 ltj.8 n
1917 to $2.7B.1.4n2.tfii In 104S. Thla money
is certainly worth 4 per cent to the state
If the money is to be carried on hand!
Interest should be computed and added to
the above balance, which will Increase the
balance by the further sum of $1,369,514.57.
If It la not carried on hand It will either be
used In constructing additional roads. In con
structing roads In lieu of the Isxuance of
bonds, or In the maintenance. It Is charged
by the opponents of this bill that no fund
has been provided for maintenance. The
following table will demonstrate that ample
funds are provided for every requirement.
Revenue and Disbursement Showing An
nual .Balance.
1917 Tax $ 34S.7.-.3.45
Dim l:I.6:iS..',ii
Balance
1918 Tax
On hand ........
Due
Balance .........
1919 Tax
On hand
Due
Balance
1920 Tax
On hand ........
Due
Balance
1821 Tax
On hand ........
Due
Balance .........
1922 Tax
On hand ........
. Due
Balance
1923 Tax
On hand
Due .'
Balance
1924 Tax
On band
Due
Balance ... ..
1925 Tax
On hand
Due
Balance
1926 Tax
On hand .........
Due
Balance .........
1927 Tax
On band ........
Due
Balance
1928 Tax
On hand
Due ............
Balance
1929 Tax , ....
On hand ........
Due ..
Balance
1930 Tax
3.:i. l ltj.ett
. ... 530,000.00
S3. 1 1 . S9
. ... 1O1.S31.30
. ... 701.2S5.59
. ... f.30.000.00
. ... 1.291.285.00
.... 106.375.20
. 1.094. U10.39
. ... 53O.0O0.OO
. ... l.24.910.3!
. 270.029.40
. ... 1.3.",3.9So.99
. ... .311.000.00
. ... 1.8S3.9SO 09
. ... 805.493.90
1.378.4S7.AU
. ... 530.000.00
. ... 2.1OS.4S7.00
340.8119.54
. ... 1.758.587.55
. ... 530.000. 0
. ... 2.2SH..V.7.55
. ... 440.929.1 1
1.841.058.44
. ... 530.000.00
2. 371. 65 8.44
. ... 564.730.57
. .. . 1.800.927.87
.... 53O.0O0. 00
. ... 2.236.927.87
. S..1.97SR1
. ... 1.0S4.951.O6
. . . . 53O.O00.OO
. ... 2.21 4.051. OX
. ... 6Srt.1fl.V36
1.52S.75.V70
. ... 530.000.00
. 2.058.75.V70
6Sl.71.Vo9
1.377.040.01
. ... 530.000. (VO
1.9O7.040.BI
. ... 604.803 rt'.l
. ... 1.242.176.92
. ... 530.OOO.O0
.... 1.772.176.9
. .. 648.012.29
. ... 1. 124.164. 3
..... 530.OOO.0U
on hand L6.'4.14.6I
Due 31.160tit
Balance 1.023.003.74
1831 Tax r..1rt,OOfl.O
On hand . 1.5."U.O03.74
Iue 614.3on.-nt
Balance ................. 9:;s.tW4.?5
1932 Tax S30.0O0.0qj
On hand 1.46S. 604. 25
Due f.97.4."v03
Balance . 71.23614
1933 Tax &30.00.0
On hand l,4oi,:srt.
lue i.!i0.o.B9
Balance 8i;o,rt29.4T
1834 Tax IWO.OOO.OO
On hand ................ 1,3.0.629.4T
Iue ..................... r.H:l. T .".Y L':i
Balance 7Srt.74. 1
1935 Tax 530. 000.00,
On hand 1,31.S74.1S
Due 546.903.Sa
Balanco 700,070.2)
1036 Tax 530.OOO.oi
On hand 1.299.970.2H
Due 530,052.40
Balance 760.917 so
1937 Tax o30.000.04
On hand 1.20H.91 7.
Due 501.072.:.
Balance 70S, 845. 2
1038 Tax .v.o.ooo.ooj
On hand 1.32S.S4.1. 2
Due 460. 691. 73
Balance Ks,io3.54
1833 Tax C3O.O00.0O
On hand l.sso.iss.'.o
Due 421. 038. na
Balance 977.114.81
1940 Tax s;;o,ooo.oo
On hand 1.507.1 14. SI
Due 3S2.S41.04
Balance 1.124.273.7T
1941 Tax, 53O.0O0.Ot
On band ................ 1,654.273.77
Due 345.371.11
Balanco 1.308,ooj.s
1942 Tax 530.000. 0.
On hand 1.838.902. AT '
Due 2.oV).o
Balance 1.542.902 1
1943 Tax 530,ooo.OO
On hand 2.072,002. i k
Due 210.500.O
Balance l.s2.402.-
1941 Tax D3O.000.04
On hand ....... 2.3lt2.4o2.tl
Due 103.500.0i
Balance ........ .H. .... 2.2SS.902.64
1945 Tax . . 530.000.OO
On hand J.. 2,iis,;xv2.t
Due 25.500.0U
Balance
2,T93.402.6d
The word "tax" used In this table in
cludes the present quarter-mill tax and
automobile llcen- money.
Facts on Cost Given.
This Is not a $50,000,000 bond proposition,
aa claimed by advocatea of bad roada. It
Is a $7.819.2S0.55 road Investment, to which,
will be added by the Federal Government
the sura of $1,819,280.55. What will this
money do? The $6,000,000 will hard sur
face 600 miles of road ten feet wide, which.
In our opinion, is all of the.road the coun
tiea will prepare for paving. To cloud the
Issue opponents estimate 1500 mllea of pose
roada will cost $12,000 per mile, or $18,000.
Ooo, and 60 miles of forest roada
will cost $10,000 per mile, or $6,0O,
0OO. Does any one honestly think the stats
and Federal Government will build such
roads In the National forests? The tacts
axe that only $3,638,501.10 Is available for
post and forest roads. Oregon's part of
this fund la provided for by House bill No.
21, which already is law. The post roads
and forest roada can only cost $3,856,110.
not $24.Oi0.0OO. The paving will cost $.
000.000. not $16,000,000. The counties are
required to prepare the road on grade, with,
foundation and drainage, ready for paving.
In many counties the roads are on grado
and well drained and the cost of prepara
tion w-lll be less than $500 per mile, and
not $10,000, as suggested by the advocates
of muddy roads.
Believing that a statement from tho
Commission declaring ita policy with re
gard to letting contracta will be of inter
est to the voters, we addressed a com
munication to tho Commission requesting
advice as to what policy, if any, had been
adopted. From the answer of the Commis
sion we quote the following:
"We recognize the propriety of your In
quiry and therefore hereby authorize you
on our behalf to say fhat thla Commission,
at a public meeting held at Portland on
this date, adopted tho following resolution:
'V hereaa. There exists in the pubio
mind an Impression that undue profits havo
heretofore been made by paving contractors
in Oregon,
'Be It resolved. That It will be the
policy of the Highway Commission to call
for bids on all standard types of pavement
in open and fair competition and to award
contracts to the lowest responsible bidder.
who will be required to give a good and
sufficient guarantee for the permanency- of
his work.
" 'Be It further resolved. That In the
event no aatisfactory bid can be obtained.
the Highway Commission wilt proceed to
do the work Itself by force account after
the purchase and Installation of ita own
paving plant.
The above resolution Is Intended as a
frank ststement to the public of what our
policy win be. If there Is anything which
la not fully covered It la due to an over
sight on our part snd not due to any de
sire to evade any Issue or question.
"We may summarize our plana aa followsj
We shall demand and endeavor to acquire
for the state full value for every dollar
of public money expended. If the bond
Issue Is adopted, we shall, so far aa pos
aible. commence work in every county in
which work la to be done at the earliest
possible moment. We shall -not favor one
county or locality over another, but will,
to the best of our ability, be fair to the
various sections of the state.
"H. BBNPON.
"W. L. THOMPSON.
"B. J. ADAMS."
The personnel of tho Highway Commis
sion Is such that tho voters can trust iC
Impllrity and can be assured that any duty
Intrusted to It will be well and faithfully
performed. '
Forceful Argument Put Up.
Ws all know the value of good roads, and
one of the best appeala that was ever
brought forth was a concise and forceful
argument for the grange measure, which,
provided for a bond issue and was printed
In the 1912 pamphlet, page 101, from which
we quote aa follows:
"Business man and farmer, producer and
consumer, vote for the grange measure, for
you one and all are Interested in the de
velopment of the stste, that can never bo
accomplished without the construction ot
good, permsnent roads, built economically ,'
and scientifically. Spence. Shaw. Leedy.
Maaon. committee. Oregon State Grange."
Conditions have changed but very little
since 1912. and aa thla argument was truo.
then It Is equally true now.
The passage of this bill, we believe, wt 1
accomplish the construction of good. per
manent roads, economically and scientifical
ly built.
It is our hope that when the votes are
counted there will be not only a majority
In favor, but such & great number In favor
that Oregon'a fame aa a progressive state
will be maintained.
Heplying to the unreasonable statement
to the effect that any special Interest in
spired this good roada movement, we. tho
membera of your legislative committee, who.
are taxpayera and loyal citizens of Oregon,
do hereby assert that such statements aro
positively untrue and wholly without foun
dation. Our sole aim la to provide for Ore
gon good roads and to see that a dollar's
worth of road Is obtained for every dollar
expended. It Is but fair to believe that
the members of thla Highway Commission,
appointed by our chief executive, will give
to this important part of the state's busi
ness that aame care and attention which,
they have given to their own business and
which has placed these men In high esteem
among the people of their respective com
munities. . W. D. WOOD.
E. D. CUSICK.
1 JCLIEN A. HURLEY
Committee of the Senate.
WM. K. SCHIMPFF.
ROV W. RITNER.
t C CLAR1C.
WILLIAM H. GORE.
O. LAURGAARD.
Committee of the House.
Umatilla Ranks Second for Wealth.
PENDLETON. Or.. March 31. (Spe
cial.) I'matilla County will pay more
taxes than any other county In the
state, with the exception, of Multno
mah. Sheriff Taylor has made a turn
over of $83,232 to Treasurer Gilliam,
the second since the collection of taxes
began. The full amount of the county's
tax to the state this year will be $122.
316.50. Albany to Do More raving.
ALBANY. Or.. March 31. (Special.)
Albany will extend its paved-street
area again this Summer. The City Coun
cil already has taker) the preliminary
steps for the paving; of Baker street,
from Third to Ninth streets, this year.
Other streets may be Improved sim!
larly.
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