THE. SUNDAY OREGOXIAX. FORTT.AXD, 2IAT 20, 191T.
If
HAPPILY MARRIED FOLK, SOCIALISTS AND OTHERS PEN VIEWS
PORTLAND, May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) My wife and I read your
editorial "How to Be Happy
Though Married- with great interest.
We thought we saw an implied invita
tion for happy, or otherwise, married
people to write you.
A. L., In her letter, proves herself to
be made of the average stuff, yet the
cause of all her unhappiness is her de
sire to be above the average. In her
desire to be something she isn't she is
unhappy, and no doubt has made her
family the same. Did A. L. think very
much on the subject of married life
before she was married? No doubt she
didn't, or she wouldn't be writing The
Oregonian about her unhappiness. She
complains that there is nothing In mar
ried life to look forward to but rais
ing children, and the prospects of bask
ing in. the reflected light of her hus
band's success.
My wife has been educated much
the same as A. L. Hers was a busi
ness education. All through life she
worked in the business world for sup
port. She didn't need to get married
to get someone to support her. She
was 28 when she was married, so she
had plenty of opportunity to acquire
that independent, restless spirit so
many of our business women have
when they are forced to depend upon
another to make a success in the world.
Contrary to A. L., Mrs. S. Is supremely
happy and has contributed not a little
in making me so.
From the day we Were married we
set out making much out of little.
Each step in our married life has been
fraught with interest and Joy. Neither
of us had a penny saved, as we were
both burdened with the support of
younger brothers and sisters. We de
cided to go in debt for our furniture,
for we were reasonably sure of good
health, and I was sure of my position.
We selected the plain things we bought
for the home with as great Joy and
pleasure as though we were able to se
lect the best of everything. After the
furniture was paid for we decided to
go In debt for a small home. We went
to a respectable neighborhood where
prices were reasonable and taxes low.
Here we selected a moderate priced
home and made sure of our future
peace of mind by not being In debt
deeper than we could afford. Those days
were the source of some of our keenest
pleasure. The many nights we spent
renovating and adding to the old place
we purchased and the pleasure we took
and take today in seeing it blossom out
In a cheerful, cosy little home is a big
part of our present happiness.
Now three years have rolled by and
the home is nearly paid for. Our first
horn Is about to arrive. Do we look
forward to its arrival as an event that
is going to herald more responsibility
and more tying the wife to the house?
Indeed not. The event to us is filled
with happiness. A. L. would pity our
foolish optimism and tell us when our
baby comes our Joy will soon pale,
that the novelty of being a parent will
soon wear off. We believe otherwise,
and because we believe so our present
Joy isunalloyed. When night comes
and I go home to the good wife and she
brings out the little baby clothes we
both examine them and take as much
pleasure in these little things as A. L.
would in receiving a handsome gift
or in something else that gives her
pleasure.
My wife"s and my own advice to A.
L. is to look in the everyday things
in life for happiness. Cast aside dis
content and make life what you want
it to be. Live today and find in it
the fullest measure of happiness that
mortal can find. Live within your'
means. Let expensive pleasures pass
you by, and don't envy your neighbor.
Believe in the future. Acquire the
faculty of believing there is nothing
you can't accomplish when you set
your mind to-it.
If your mind is above your hus
band's by your example coax him up
to your plane, or if this Is impossible,
waste no precious time worrying about
it. By being happy with what you have
your sunny disposition will attract to
you all the things you think should be
yours. All things come to him who
believes in God, and through him has
learned to get pleasure out of the
simple things of life. Pity the weal?
but don't encourage it in anyone. Be
strong in your resolves and determined
in their execution. Every day is a
bright day for him who believes the
fun is shining. C. S.
BUSINESS BV WIVES UPHELD
Woman Write That All Mast Keep
Pace With Progress.
PORTLAND, May 19. (To the Edi
tor.) I did not mention my husband
because he and my children are the
only parts of my scheme of existence
that I wouldn't change.
To follow your theory out logically
would mean that, since for a woman to
want to change her job in any respect
means that she also wants to change
her husband, every time that a man
changed jobs, or bosses, or wanted a
rise In salary. It would be because he
wasn't happy at home and did not like
his wife. Is that the best you can do
and you an editor?
It is our work that is wrong, not our
husbands and children. They are the
only redeeming features In our lives.
Did you ever notice the difference be
tween husbands and wives at 40 or 45?
The difference is because of their work.
The reason older men. widowers, etc.,
marry young women is not because, as
has been said to their disparagement..
xney want young bodies, but because
they want young minds. And it is not
to be wondered at, that men with ac
tive parts to play in life find little to
say to women of the same age whose
life work has been housework.
It is not motherhood or wifehood that
wears us out. It is the drudgery of
housework, garbage cans, dinner dishes,
cleaning, over and over again, world
without end, the same dirt, the same
dishes, for that is the way we spend
the most of our time.
Look at Mrs. Winifred Stoner and her
splendid child. She is a working wom
an, working at what she is best fitted
for.
Look at Mary Roberts Rinehart, she
can be a real mother to her sons after
they are men, not Just a pillow to lay
their heads on when they feel senti
mental, but a guiding force in their
lives because she is a successful person
as well as a woman. And if they In
their greater way can be busy women
as well as mothers, why can't we, in
our smaller way, each according to her
talents. Some might prefer house
work, some might want to run stores
or write on newspapers.
How much better for the child of a.
born business woman to be. under the
care of a born child developer like Mrs.
Stoner and numberless others, while
the mother kept growing by working
at her particular job, earning the money
to pay for what part of her work she
shifted on to some one whose talents
lay In thoBe directions.
Just work isn't enough unless It's the
best work we can do, and who is to say
that his mother was best fitted for
scrubbing floors and doing the family
darning instead of something else.
How would you, an editor, like to
have complete charge of your depart
ment and have also to clean all the
typewriters, clean the windows, scrub
the offices and empty the waste bas
kets before you could write? If It were
left to you wouldn't you work a little
harder at writing and earn the money
to hire an office boy, even if you were
told that your sphere was In the realm
of waste baskets and dust cloths?
Is a man any the less a good father
because he Is away part of the time?
And is a woman less a mother because
she doesn't follow her children to
school and sit with them? If we could
do what we want to do. and could earn
the money to hire our heavy housework
done, we could do it in our spare time,
the time we saved, while our children
were sleeping, or were In school or
kindergarten. We would not be ahead
in money, perhaps, but we would be
ahead In happiness, and if the mothers
of the race shouldn't be happy, who
should?
If we stop working when we get
married and wait till the children grow
up, It's too late. Our children will leave
us, our husbands far outstrip us, and
we will be bereft Indeed unless through
it all we have some work that we can
do that is best fitted to our individual
talents. And If we have that, we will
all grow old together, living alike a
happy, useful life, and not be the hope
less misfits that we now are at 45.
A. L.
PAVING BIDS . ARE COMPARED
Federal Money Not to Be Paid In Roy
alties, Says Spence.
OREGON CITY, Or., May 19. (To
the Editor) Bids were opened by the
Columbia County Court Saturday after
noon, April 21, for the construction of
8840 square yards of hard-surface
pavement connecting the towns of St.
Helens and Houlton, on the old county
road. The specified types of pavement
were bitulithic, asphaltic concrete and
a straight concrete pavement. Only one
bid was submitted on standard bitu
lithic and that by the Warren Con
struction Company, at J 1.4 8 a square
yard. Only one bid was presented on
the asphaltic concrete, the non-patented
bituminous pavement, at $1.38
per square yard, made by the Montague-O'Reilly
Company.
There were three bids on straight
concrete pavement. E. J. Mills made a
bid of $1.36 a square yard, material six
inches thick. Lees Dock Company made
a bid of $1.60 a square yard, and Montague-O'Reilly
Company offered to do
the work for $1.55 a square yard.
In a copy of a printed letter dated
April 26. 1915. addressed to F. S. De
ment. Walla Walla, Wash., handed to
Judge Hattan. . of Columbia County,
April 20, at St. Helens, S. Benson is
quoted as saying, among other things,
that: "I will further state that on
heavy traveled roads having excess of
1000 vehicles per day I am firmly con
vinced that if you get Warrenite or
bittilithlc at their going price, or as
phaltic concrete free of cost your
maintenance over a 15-year period will
make the asphaltic concrete the more
expensive."
A copy of another printed letter
handed to the Judge on the same, date,
addressed to C. C. Widener, Bozeman,
Mont., states as follows: "Advise bitu
lithic over other pavements. First 60
miles bitulithic in Multnomah County,
price averaging 30 cents over asphaltic
concrete." This letter Is signed by
Herbert Nunn, present State Highway
Engineer under S. Benson.
The bids on the Columbia county
road, about one mile of pavement, be
tween Houlton and St. Helens, as sub
mitted April 21, were: Bitulithic, $16.
506.46; Topeka mix, $13,963.68; concrete,
$13,147.62.
The price on Topeka mix (asphaltic
concrete unpatented) was $1542.78 low
er than the price on bitulithic (pat
ented). This is the type of pavement
used in California, and also favored by
the United States Government. S. Ben
son Is against It and in favor of the
patented article.
The bid on the straight concrete
pavement was $2359.84 lower than the
bid on bitulithic. S. Benson favored re
jecting this bid and putting in bitu
lithic This concrete specification is
the same as that used in Wayne Coun
ty, Mich., where there are more auto
mobiles made than in any other place
In the world. The best automobiles
made are tested on this sort of pave
ment in and around Detroit. S. Ben
son is against this type of pavement.
He will tell you so.
.What do all our laws against collu
sion between bidders and in favor of
open competitive bidding amount to
when the chairman of the State High
way Commission and the Highway En
gineer do not think that any pavement
but bitulithic (Warrenite) is worthy of
consideration?
Talk about open competitive bidding.
In Columbia County there was only one
bid on bitulithic and only one bid on
asphaltic concrete The bid on asphal
tic concrete was $1.38 per square yard,
just about double what Clackamas
County and Marion County did the
work for.
The voters of Oregon should know
just what kind of a proposition they
will go up against if the road bond
issue carries. Here are some facts that
should be borne in mind while con
sidering the question:
First The Federal department for
bids the payment of Government
money, either directly or Indirectly,
for royalty or premiums on any pat
ented process or material.
Second The Federal Government
does not co-operate in any way In the
expenditure of this $6,000,000 paving
bond issue.
Third The present Highway Com
mission and the Highway Engineer will
follow the same policy as was followed
in Multnomah County, a policy which
cost the taxpayers more than $200,000
for patent royalties on some 60 miles
of road.
Fourth If the same policy Is fol
lowed in the expenditure of the $6,000,
000 bond issue it will cost the state
$1,000,000 in royalties.
Fifth S. Benson believes that War
renite is a "perfect paving." He said
so at Forest Grove, In a public meeting.
These statements are not intended as
reflections on the members of the State
Highway Commission, but they are
facts, and should be considered as such.
Safety first. Vote "No" on measure 315
on your ballot. C. E. SPENCE.
CITY'S ADVANTAGES
WEIGHED
O.-W. R. fc X. Interests Favor Seattle,
In Opinion of Writer.
PORTLAND, May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) I have been giving considerable
attention and thought lately to the ex
pression that has been quoted more or
less the past few years about what is
the matter with Portland? I have been
reading all the articles that came to
my attention on this subject lately and
was particularly Impressed with two
articles In The Sunday Oregonian one
signed by "A Portlander" and one by
Max Hauler.
Judging from what I have been able
to gather about the rate situation from
the Inland Empire to Portland, Astoria
and Sound points, I have come to the
conclusion . that Portland, by its loca
tion, both in distance and the fact that
it has a practically water level haul
from the Inland Empire down, is enti
tled to a better rate than any of its
competitors, not only because it would
benefit Portland as a shipping and trad
ing port, but because it would give to
the producer of the Inland Empire a
cheaper freight rate, which would add
to the value of all their products.
It seems to. me that the O.-W. R. &
N. interests are standing in with Seat
tle on a combination to keep up rates
on local products for the advantages
it gets on the long haul on the tonnage
it receives at Seattle, and this, of
course, is to the detriment of all pro
ducers of the Inland Empire.
I believe the time is ripe for coming
out lair and square with the O.-W. R.
& N. interests and giving thera to un
derstand that unless they break up
this combination and give Portland the
rate it is entitled to that Portland will
immediately Inaugurate and put In ef-s!
fectthe means of bringing the O.-W. R.
& N. to terms by water competition. I
believe that If the O.-W. R. & N. will
not give Portland the rates she de
serves that the Port of Portland should
immediately arrange to acquire enough
steamers to put on a coast-to-coast line
of ships that will take care of all the
freight offered.
That Portland Bhould unite In support
ing the $3,000,000 subsidy bill, giving
the Port of Portland authority to sub
sidize a line of steamers, either local or
foreign, that they think will benefit
this port, especially with the idea of
river boat lines from the Inland Em
pire to Portland to connect with the
foreign and Eastern coast line of
steamers.
I think we have come to the parting
of the ways. We should either go into
this matter In a wholesouled way that
will be sure to achieve results desired
or we should give up -the idea of
spending any more money for public
docks, elevators, etc., that under the
present parity of rates would work for
the advantage of Seattle and San Fran
cisco at the expense of the producers
and manufacturers of the entire North
west that are naturally tributary to
Portland.
I do not believe in the Port of Port
land going into the shipbuilding game.
but I do believe they should have the
authority to build or buy ships, which
ever they can do to the best advantage.
I would much prefer to have the boats
built under private interests, but to be
owned and operated by the Port of
Portland, for the Interest of the Port of
Portland, and as an evidence of good
lalth and to show the interest I take
In the matter, I will pledge a subscrip
tion of 5 per cent of our capital to any
well-financed shipbuilding plant that
wm agree to build ships for the Port
of Portland at a cost not to exceed 10
per cent profit over cost, or on the same
basis that private interests are now
contracting to build ships for the Na
tional Government.
H. H. NEWHALL,
East Side Bank.
WARS ARE HELD UNNECESSARY
Socialist Opposition Based on Scien
tific Principle, Says Writer.
PORTLAND, May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) Since Socialists In peace con
ferences and war counsels in every
belligerent country are playing their
part in this war, it is but just that
their case be understood, and this re
ply to your eight-line editorial in
quiry, wherein it was asked if "So
cialists opposed the war through love
of peace or fear of Germany?" should
be published that American socialism
be not unfavorably suspected of dis
loyalty. We beg to say It was neither
of which you accuse it.
Socialists' opposition to war comes of
too scientific a principle to be biased
by love or dominated by fear. It is
they who know the needlessness of,
and it might be said Impossibility of,
war if tho laws that govern the social
relation of men were adjusted to fit
our modern economic lives. The fact
remains that war does not settle any
thing that might not a thousand times
better be settled by diplomacy, and
would be so settled, regardless of al
leged causes of war, if the social re
lation of individuals and nations were
so modernized.
It is because the people are not ed
ucated in the prior cause of war that
such wanton destruction as war brings
to them can be put over on them by an
ancient social regime. When war en
ters or obtains, intelligence is further
destroyed by censorship favoring the
war, and the generation that wages a
war never understands the true cause
of the war or why It was fought by
mem. it remains for history written
by unbiased individuals In after years
to give out true reasons and causes.
A generation hence the true, cause that
brought about this great war will be
given out and that generation will un
derstand Its uselessness and Imprac
ticability over that which might have
obtained If the people of this day were
living under economic conditions suited
to their best welfare?
As to American socialism being Ger
manized, allow us to say it is, with
a few exceptions, neither pro-Germai
nor pro-British. It Is, in distinct con
trast to both allegations, pro-working
class and anti-capitalist. While some
of the declarations made by the late
St. Louis convention, in view of the
previous declaration of war, were
futile and even childish, their opposi
tion to war waa biased by love or
dominated by fear.
Socialists Intellectually oppose war
through a knowledge of the previous
cause of war and Its utter uselessness
as a remedy for the evils that set it
In motion. No amount of fighting and
consequent suffering will stay the red
hand of repetition of war. only as we
may advance in knowledge of why
wars are declared and proceed to elim
inate the original cause. This is the
true reason why Socialists oppose war
and their co-operative participation in
the conferences and counsels of this
war entitle them to mutual considera
tion. C. W. BARZEE.
PRISON FTXD IS OPPOSED
Writer Thinks ThU Is No Time to Add
to State's Taxes.
PORTLAND. May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) It seems strange to some tax
payers that, under existing circum
stances, the press should be boosting
the $400,000 burden of a new state's
prison. In addition to $6,000,000 bonds
for roads, when, as a matter of fact,
neither Is a necessity.
True, a commission was appointed to
secure a new prison plant.
After some of their number traveled
through the East Investigating model
prisons in Minnesota. New York State
and elsewhere and bad done exhaus
tive (?) reading on penology, crimin
ology and the like, they present a
learned report in the way of a pamphlet
of 76 long pages that would make the
great Howard himself stare at what
our commission appointed to Investi
gate the Oregon State ' Penitentiary
know.
These gentlemen do not lyive so much
to say about our own institution as what
theorists say and other, states with a
heavy population and vast resources
in the way of taxable property' are do
ing. That a modern state's prison in Ore
gon would be well Is not questioned,
but what are the facts?
We have at Salem 300 acres of the
finest land, where all the potatoes,
vegetables and berries needed in the
prison may be produced, with 27 cows,
giving at the present time what milk
and buttter the Inmates need. The
buildings, while out of date. In- design
and construcvtion. are, nevertheless,
adequate, plainly comfortable and san
itary. This is proved by the fact that of
400 prisoners confined there but six are
now on the sick list. Two are cases
of tuberculosis, contracted before con
victim. But two men are actually sick
In bed In a hospital equipped for 40
times that number. The kitchen and
dining-rooms are clean, well arranged,
with as good food, cooked and served
as well most likely as the reader of
these lines has in his own home.
The grounds are ample, with divers
buildings for manufacturing purposes
standing unoccupied, with hundreds of
idle men. as I saw them the other day.
lying about on the ground with noth
ing to do; and for the reason that un
der existing laws the products of con
vict labor are not permitted on the
market, a state of things that a new
prison would be unable to remedy. Only
a few were Addling about with a little
flax fiber.
With the great war we are now en
tering upon certain to tax to the limit
every morsel of food and every gar
ment worn, in addition to the fact that
scarcely a business house or dwelling
In Portland and other smaller cities
of the state can now be rented for
enough to pay the annual tax Imposed,
is It the time to pile on $400,000 more
tax for a new penitentiary, to say noth
ing of $6,000,000 automobile road bonds,
which it is figured the autos will pay,
but a debt the taxpayer will be held
for In any contingency, light and fact?
Is this the time to be paying for frills?
C. E. CLINE.
WIFE'S RIGHT TO WORK UPHELD
Woman Declares Home Life Without
Children Isn't Worth While.
PORTLAND, Or.. May 19. (To the
Editor.) In answer to "Twenty One"
on the editorial page I would like to
say a few words.
My experience has been quite similar
to L. A.'s. except that I have no chil
dren. I am a trained nurse and had
charge of a hospital and did private
nursing for three years after finish
ing training.
I was married when 21 and have been
married six years. We have no chil
dren and my husband does not desire
to adopt any. My husband Is a me
chanic, and lives a life of little varia
tion, seemingly having little higher
ambition, almost no enthusiasm, but
happy to fit in his notch, while I am the
opposite. I do not mean that he is
cranky, but so steady, so quiet and prac
tical, unresponsive, although Kind ana
intelligent. We have different opinions
on politics and most of the questions
of the day. My life is not half full
enough and I feel that if I had L. A.'s
children I could be much more con
tented, but in the absence of that I
must work.
The housework for two. even though
I bake and do the laundry, is so light
tnai ii is very nearly an done at y in
the morning, and like L. A. I do not
care for crochet.
Someone will say, why not plant a
garden? We have 60x50 in and partly
up, and now that the planting Is done
it will require an hour's work each
evening, most of which will probably
be done by my husband. Of late I
give part of my time to Red Cross
work, but I want to work regular
hours, draw regular pay. and feel In
dependent. I think the woman who
wastes her time gambling for prizes
at bridge parties should feel ashamed
to waste the time given to do some
thing that amounts to something in
this world, for time is precious, and
once wasted can never be recalled.
Why should a woman when she mar
ries and does not have children give
up her individual life and ambition?
A man does not.
There Is much difference between
two years of married life and six.
"Twenty One" should remember. At
two years of married life I. too, was
much more contented, but six years of
washing dishes, the same dishes, the
same clothes, sweeping the same floors
gets tiresome. If one has children it is
worth while, for she is giving the
world something.
Then "Twenty One" must remember
that what is good and sufficient for one
Is not for the other, that some are
naturally more domestic than others.
while some (like myself. I suppose)
are too full of business, and have more
executive ability than is used or is
needed in three rooms and a bath.
EX-NURSE.
HUSBANDS
OFTEN
FORGETFUL
Wife Suggests Remedy for Hopeless
ness of Some Others.
PORTLAND. May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) In The Oregonian was a letter
from an unhappy wife and mother. She
considers herself a mere "slave" or
"drudge"!
Only two days ago a neighbor came
to me almost hysterical. . She fancied
herself simply a household "drudge."
She has no children. Her husband's in
come Is not steady, as he is a day la
borer, but the wife is modest in her
wants and doesn't require or ask for
the best.
She was self-supporting before mar
riage; earned money enough to save
up a little, besides keeping up a neat,
stylish supply of clothing.
Now her clothes are getting shabby
and her husband, she says, never thinks
of her needs; she doesn't believe he has
any love for her. So she cooks, washes
dishes, scrubs and dusts, with no hope
of brighter things. She is sad and
hopeless and wishes she were free to
earn her own clothing at least.
Isn't there something back of all
these heart aches and disappointments?
Hasn't the husband Rome duty he has
forgotten? Does he think of the wife
tenderly as he did when he was court
ing her. Didn't he anticipate her
wishes and consult her tastes in every
way. making her understand that he
loved her? ,
Hasn't he become stolidly Indifferent?
Doesn't he selfishly think a wife should
be satisfied that she has a household
to look after and be thrilled with Joy
as she looks over his frayed underwear
and mends his socks? I believe all.
woum oe wen n eacn were willing to
sacrifice a little and believe the other
meant all right. There need be no wor
ry and disappointments.
One grand thought that can be en
tertained by each and all is just this,
believe others are wanting to do right
and insist that all Is well and that you
are happy and try to make everyone
realize the truth.
ONE HOUSEKEEPER AND WIFE.
i
I" A II M PROBLEMS DISCUSSED
Writer Suggests Methods of Eliminat
ing Some Defects. 1
PORTLAND. May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) Your recent editorial, "Manag
ing the Farm," holds out a truth that
is not only , of value at this time, but
should be remembered with profit at
all times. It is easily a fundamental
and essential element in successful
farming: "Careful planning." and not
alone there, but applies with equal
force in every other line of endeavor
worth while.
I would-not charge the farmer with
neglect or Inability to perform this
Important feature of farm work; my
experience in touch with conditions in
this state and elsewhere convinces me
that the majority of farmers observe
this as a very essential feature of suc
cessful farming and are fully awake to
its practicability and results: thanks In
a large measure is due the Department
of Agriculture, the agricultural col
leges and other Government agencies,
directly and indirectly, for the ever
increasing effect of their work in this
particular as well as in other lines.
Contrary to the belief among many
people that the farmer is a Rube and
a hundred years or so in the rear of
the procession, I will say without fear
of successful contradiction that there
Is a. big surprise in store for the man
who will take the time and make it
his business to acquaint himself with
the "man on the farm"; he is easily
the attacking force in the onward
movement and Is in possession of the
means to keep him there, but certainly
there are many who are not as thor
oughly convinced of the value of intel
ligent farming as they should be or as
Imbued with its Importance in the man
agement of their work or take advan
tage of the means at hand to a better
understanding of their calling, and be
cause of that fact the Government Is
exerting every means possible to help
where help is needed. The idea of
planning for the conservation of en
ergy and capital Is of great importance
now, when help and resources will be
taxed to the limit In view of the mag
nitude of the work before us, and the
one who will use a good deal of fore
sight now will be the one to meet the
demand and be able to overcome many
perplexing problems later on. As far
as being equal to the problems Inci
dent to climatic and other conditions
outside our influences is concerned. It
should be no detriment to our purpose
to push ahead as determinedly as ever,
for be it known the most experienced
and capable have not been entirely
equal to the solution, however carefully
they may have planned, but neverthe
less many difficulties' have been met
by taking advantage of the knowledge
we have and the means of obtaining it.
The full story of successful farming
cannot be told, for there are many fac
tors outside of' careful planning and
management that enter into it. which
even science has been puzzled to ex
plain, and the smallest farm may pre
sent problems too complex and multitu
dinous for the average mind to master;
and It is not surprising to find the in
experienced who set out with lots of
enthusiasm and imagination to con
quer the earth, weaken and give up
the fight when confronted with the
dally problems of farm work. If there
is any hope for one he will soon.be
conscious of a lack of knowledge and
experience and apply himself to tu4 ac
quisition of It, for let me repeat, farm
ing demands as much intelligence and
experience to Its successful operation
as any other line of work, and perhaps
more, and for the encouragement of
those who are taking the initiative in
rarmlng and who no doubt have
bumped up against some real trouble
already, let me say that patience and
perseverance is the means to a suc
cessful issue and he who constantly
applies himself will not only be en
riched In larger Independence, but in
ennobling and health-producing expe
riences, j. H. MOORES.
SOCIALISTS
IPHOLD
MESSAGE
Tex Sot to Germans. However, Is
Not Official, Says One.
PORTLAND. May 19. (To the Edi
tor.) in the daily papers of May U
there appeared the text of a message
from certain American Socialists to the
German Socialists calling upon them
to put an end to Kalserism as the only
means "to bring the war to an early
end." '
With this message all Socialists are
in accord. In substance It Is an appeal
to the German Socialists to overthrow
the German autocratic and militaristic
ruling class, and establish a greater
degree of democracy. All Socialists,
regardless of their differences upon
ot.ior matters, are agreed that all over
the world the rulership of the few
must be ended and the rule of the
people established.
It is unfortunate, however, that In
this Instance the message is not of
ficial, and will not be so treated by the
German Socialists, as it does not come
from the National executive commit
tee of the Socialist party of the United
States, whose members are as follows:
Victor L, Berger, Milwaukee, Wis.;
Anna A. Maley, Minneapolis. Minn.;
John M. Works, Chicago, 111.: John
Spargo. Old Bennington. Vt.. and Mor
ris Hillquitt, New York City.
According to press reports, which
were unfortunately erroneous, it was
stated that the message to German So
cialists was signed by "the National
executive committee of Socialists of
America."
Among those Included as members
of this committee were the following
persons: Charles Edward Russell.- J.
G. Phelps Stokes, Rose Pastor Stokes,
William English Walling. Wlnfield R,
Gaylord and others. These persons
have no official standing In the So
cialist party of the United States at
the present time and were not author
ized by the regular Socialist party or
ganization to send the message to Ger
many, admirable as it was.
Another error is to the effect that
one of the signers. Henry L. Slobodln,
Is a former "National secretary of the
American Socialists' committee." Mr.
Slobodin never held this office.
It has become the established policy
of the Socialist party of the United
States to refrain from interfering in
the affairs of the sister Socialist par
ties of other countries, assuming that
each Socialist party In the respective
countries is doing the best it can In
the fight for victory over the ruling
class. VICTOR J. jrCONE,
State Secretary Socialist Party of
Oregon.
CHIRCHES THOUGHT INACTIVE
Complaint Is Made That Forms Are
Preserved, but Life Is Gone.
PORTLAND, May 19. (To the Edi
tor.) It appears to me that there is a
formalism in the church that is some
what oppressive. As I sit within Its
sacred preencts I observe a sort of
staleness. lifelessness. and lack of a
spiritualized vitality, energy, vigor,
action and push which are so essen
tial to the power and efficiency of a
church.
Perhaps there is something wrong
with my optica or the sense of percep
tion, whatever you may call it. I hope
so. for I should very much dislike to
have such a valuable Institution as the
church misrepresented. For If the
world is bad with the church in It. it
would be much worse with the church
out of It. As I think on this matter
two passages of Scripture come to me
which read as follows:
"Having a form of Godliness, but
denying the power thereof." Second
Timothy. 3:5.
"Ye shall receive power when the
holy spirit is come upon you."
Acts, 1:8.
The writer of this article Is not a
"ranter," nor does he believe that
shouting and making much noise are
the evidence of a deep-seated religion,
nor does he believe that the shouts
of "Amen," "Hallelujah," "Glory to
God. "Praise the Lord" put beyond
dispute a man's closeness to God. But
the church should not be like the "Val
ley of dry bones."
I do not remember how Webster de
fines religion, nor do I recall the defi
nitions of it by such distinguished
theologians as Pope and Mi ley. Religion
to mo means two things, life and serv
ice. We must first he and then do.
There Is some good Scripture for this
statement, namely: "Jesus answered
and said onto him, "Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, except a man be born
again ha cannot see the kingdom of
God." John, 3:3.
We pick up the morning paper and
read. "Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, a
boy," and we say, "Another life has
come Into the world. A. natural birth
suggests life in the natural world and
spiritual birth suggests life In the re
ligious world. But now what Is the
sign of life? A child lies before me.
How am. I o determine whether the
child Is alive or not? By its name or
by Its form? No. But by movement.
When I see its eyes twinkle, its breast
heave, itw hands move, that is proof
to me that the child Is alive.
So we determine the spiritual life in
man the same way. Not by name, a
Methodist or a Presbyterian, not by
form, being baptized or partaking' of
the Lord's supper, but by movement,
by action, or. in other words, always
busy doing something in the kingdom
of God.
Some years ago a ship was stranded
In the Arctic region. Some months
later an exploring party sighted the
ship. They noticed men on the deck,
they started toward the stranded ves
sel, climbed to the deck: the men were
there standing erect, but frozen to
death. Their names were on the book
in the cabin, their forms were there,
but they were all dead.
So we may have our names In the
church book and have the form of re
ligion, but be dead. There is no such
thing as being religious without be
ing born again, and where there is life,
real life, strong life, it will be evi
denced in activity.
Now a word about service. "Go work
In my vineyard." "We are co-laborers
together with God." Christ uttered two
sentences which should be hung on
the walls of every Christian home,
namely. "I have not come to bo minis
tered unto, but to minister." "I am
among you as one who serveth." There
is only one way by which we can serve
God. and that is by serving our fellow
men. We should, as far as opportunity af
fords, be busy ministering to the needs
of our fellows. It is said of the mas
ter. "He went about doing good." and
I am happy to say to all classes and
conditions of folk, and his command
Is to us, "Go ye and do likewise."
ISAAC PEART.
647 Yamhill Street.
PLEA FOR. GOOD ROADS MADE
System of Modern II leu war Held Ort
son's Greatest Need.
PORTLAND. May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) .Most Oregonlans are amazed
and surprised at the rapid development
and growth of California, but they
don't seem to be able to grasp the
cause of this development. There is one
cause and one only and that Is the fa
cilities for the rapid transportation of
people and commodities from one part
of the state to the other by the means
of railroads and paved highways.
California has today probably more
paved roads for the number of square
miles in its boundaries than any other
state In the Union. This has attracted
tourists by the thousands. These tour
ists become boosters for the state and
finally settlers. They bring In great
wealth and distribute It in the form of
wages for labor and materiel in the
construction of fine homes and country
estates. Have you seen any of this in
Oregon lately?
What a contrast we have in Oregon!
Take the main Pacific Highway, which
for many miles parallels the Southern
Pacific Railroad, and what do you find?
Mud, mire, bottomless pits, rotten
bridges, heavy grades and a multitude
of sins against man and beast. Jackson
County is famed far and wide for Its
boosters and what do you find there?
Why. the county has spent hundreds of
thousands of dollars on paved roads.
Marlon County and Linn County have a
few miles, as have also Clackamas and
Multnomah counties, but out of this
small mileage what do we get when we
have to travel the rest of the mire? A
bad opinion in general of the good
common horse sense of the people of
the grand State of Oregon.
Do the good people of this state think
that for one minute the Southern Pa
cific or any other railroad Is going to
boost for good roads and paved roads
when they can get all this produce and
passenger traffic, besides hundreds of
automobiles moving north from the
California state line Just as soon as
they strike bad roads? Do you think
for one minute that any railroad In the
state Is going to boost for good roads,
as long as they can get all the trans
portation of the produce from the
ranches to the big towns and cities?
There are actually thousands of tons
of perfectly good food allowed to go to
waste and rot Just for the reason that
the roads of the greater part of the
state are Impassable for about nine
months of the year. Ranchers become
discouraged at the conditions that ex
ist and leave for other states Just on
account of the conditions now existing
In many parts of the state and some
knockers, believe me. when they do go.
Does this help the state? Not on your
life. The State of Oregon has the
most wonderful soil and produce-growing
climate In the United States, and
yet what should It profit a rancher If
he raises his crops and then has to let
them spoil for means of transporta
tion? I am not In the automobile business,
but when our friend Henry made cheap
transportation available to the average
rancher he did a magnificent thing for
the country. Of course we all will ad
mit that there are a lot of wild, harem
scare m Idiots running loose with ma
chines who ought to be in solitary con
finement, but we must admit that the
average rancher in the State of Oregon
has it now in his power to inaugurate a
system of paved roads In this state that
will be a monument to all posterity.
Get up and vote for the good roads
bond issue. Don't worry about the
cost. Every dollar spent will bring
back two in prosperity for the entire
state. Good roads means better times;
your property will increase in value.
Tourists will come and boost the state
with good roads. They will stay at the
hotels. The hotels will buy the ranch
ers' potatoes, onions, beans, cabbage,
peaches, pears, apples, hogs, mutton
and beef.
I am in no way connected with any
automobile concern. Commercial Club,
paving company or any other outfit di
rectly or Indirectly that has an eye to
any profit accruing from the making of
good roads throughout the state, but
I do realize that my friends and myself
will benefit by the prosperous times
after these roads are Inaugurated.
W. H. BANES.
CITY GARBAGE PLAN TOO COSTLY
Bruce C. Carry Points to System as It
Is Enforced In Seattle.
PORTLAND. May 19. (To the Ed
itor.) There will be submitted to the
voters of the City of Portland at the
next election a charter amendment pro
viding for the establishment of a gar
bage collection system and as the adop
tion of this measure will mean first an
issuance of bonds and thereafterr year
ly taxation for its maintenance at an
increasing cost, I believe the people
should understand the measure thor
oughly before voting upon It. as our
taxes now are about all the taxpayer
can stand.
The system now employed In Port
land Is what is known as the private
or Individual collection system and has
given, as far as I am able to learn, very
satisfactory service; the garbage now
collected Is all thai the city is able to
dispose of at its present incinerating
plant, in fact, the plant Is now work
ing far beyond its guaranteed capac
ity of 150 tons per 24 hours, as it is
taking care of about 185 tons per day.
Under the present system the collector
removes the garbage when and as often
as instructed to do so.
If the householder wants to burn or
otherwise dispose of his garbage he
can do so without expense, but if the
new amendment is adopted he pays
anyway; If he does not have his own
garbage hauled away he pays for the
hauling of somebody else's garbage.
His economy saves- him nothing.
The City of Seattle. Wash., has the
municipal garbage collection system,
having adopted it in 1911, and owing to
the fact that the City or the Seattle
and the City of Portland are nearly of
the same size, both In population and
area, and have similar climatic condi
tions, we mtght. by an examination of
the results there, know what to expect
from the adoption of the same plan
here.
The City of Seattle Is now collect
ing and disposing of more than 400
tons of garbage per day; the cost of
collection is. $1.85 per ton and the cost
of disposal is 22 cents per ton. making
"total cost of collecting and disposal
of $2.07 per ton. None of the garbage
iiww uiL-mrraiea, as ine cost or
Incinerji t inn . tv. i, i... -
- . a uiLiraoa ' I gar
bage under the municipal collection
system became prohibitive, and numer
ous fills or dumps were established in
various parts of the City of Seattle and
All nf tKa o ,-v i i . . .
- n. fnKa ia nuw oumpea into
or upon these fills; the aggregation of
fllPS Altrt rmtm . .1 . ....... 1 . . 1 .
...... ..lUirU n t. mesa aumps
is wonderful. Tf ih. v.
einerated it would cost 7S cents pr
ivh i.imc man ry me nil disposal. In
the Citv Of Portlanrt IK. .1 1 1
have to be incinerated.
in order to establish this plan of mu
nicipal garbage collection the City of
Seattle Issued and disposed of $300,000
Of bonds ATld thu r-rxwt f ,
21--p,!!aI ourinS the first year. 1912. was
S33R rtA ! . i . i .
-- nme most or tne
frarhns-A . . , . . , .
ct. - ' . ii'ti airu , in tne two
years following, when a part only of
. e."' was incinerated, the cost
for 1914 $251,177.96 and in 1915. when
practically none was Incinerated, the
cost was $239,792.25; if the garbage had
.iiMt-iaiea, as It would have to
be In PortlAnrI tti- ,
been $339,792.25. The amount of gar-
""- u,i"" or in isii was 131.250
tons.
The result of municipal garbage col
lection In Seattle has been to demon
strate that its collection and disposal
has added about 1 1-10 mills to the tax
levy and in order to keep the levy from,
going still higher it was necessarv to
abolish the incineration of the garbage
and establish the dumps in the city
parks and streets.
fwf.rtth lss""n-e of bonds for the.
establishment of such a pln in the
City of Portland, as proposed bv said
charter miirndm.nt i, ...m t' -
... ...v. ... require me
expenditure of nearly $250,000 a year
mo tuiircuon and disposal of tho
L'Brhn t- r r t.A .-1 - . . .
. - vuy vi roniana. tdis
means a material raise In our tax levy.
. uuuunui it tne adoption of such
a method will improve the health of
the city and it is certain that the in
crease of the tax would bring distress
u "arro number of our taxpayers
,ar novr ruire4 to economize to
the last cent in s....-- . ,
- -""i v principal
and Interest on street and sewer as-.
"","""". iiorary taxes, school taxes,
road taxes tt. ,. .
nnu my taxes.
T' .f rrtlan,l tax and a water tax.
... u,u.,p,, collection or gar
bage tho quantity to be collected and
disposed of would Increase from 75 to
100 ner cent wt tv. - . . .
- - .i.ivju in nuw col
lected, as much of the waste now
"U1UCU oy me individual. In order to
save the rnc, i 1 , . , . .
v it nauiea
fWay,'OUld be iven to the Hectors
us uniK.sea or by tne city at the ex-"
penso of the taxpayer. Many of the
residences of the City or Portuand have
their rarhmrn ,-. i
- " ,.,, rn mice a weeK.
Ibis would be impossible under the
...U....M, cuiitcuon plan and the accu
mulation I"! f YL'AAtr'a 1 . .
bummertlme would not be beneficial to
It would also be necessary to erect
two or three additional incinerators in
the city, so located that each district
would have a plant in order to avoid
long hauls.
The commislson houses, hotels res
taurants, stores and apartment-houses
under the municipal collection plan
would receive a service entirely out of
proportion to that furnished private
residences and It would not be Justice
to anyone to tax the small homeowner
who destroys his garbage, for the col- .
lection and disposal of store and hotel
garbage. BRUCE C. CURRY
446 East Seventeenth street North!
THANKS IRGED TOR BLESSINGS
Correspondent Rebukes Woman Who
Complains of Lot.
PORTLAND. May 19. (To the Ed-
Itor.) I would like to answer the let
ter by A. L.
Now. dear A. L.. you mention that
you have all this world's blessings
.rood home, husband and two nice chil
dren. I am glad you have, and wish
every woman had the same. Did you
ever thank God for these same bless- .
lngs? No, you simply took his good
gifts for granted. Have you Christ in
your heart? No, or you would have no
time to give way to the gloomv
thoughts you have. What is drudgery"?
I am sure not cooking or housework
when done in a loving spirit. Christ
washed his Disciples' feet. He was
humble and yet a King. You are look- ..
Ing for a something that is not of
this earth, and when you do accept it
your discontent will vanish and in Its
place will come a well-filled life of
good thoughts and deeds, and don't bo
selfish, as you are at present, but pass
It on to your husband and children
and all your friends.
You wanted work, now It Is at your
feet: If you pick it up it is one of tho
biggest Joba you ever tackled a life
Job, in fact, an when you come to the
end you will think how little you have
done and how much he did for vou.
K. R.
ORIENTAL LABOR IS OPPOSED
Result of Cheap Workmen In Civil War "
Is Cited.
PORTLAND. Mny 12. To the Ed
itor.) I notice a letter from an East
ern Oregon bonanza farmer objecting
to the employment of city men. as he
would prefer Oriental labor on his (
ranch. This shows his caliber it's
cheap labor he wants. The South want
ed cheap labor and got it from Africa.
The reslult of which was a great civil "
war and riots, lynching.! and attacks on. "
women, both white and black, ever
since, and. worse still, a bad blood mix
ture and un-American conditions there.
We should learn a lesson from their
misfortunes resulting from greed and
keep the Pacific Coast a white man's
country. I have employed many city
raised men and boys in farm and ranch
labor and found them generally satis
factory. J. S. JOHNSON.
FARM WAGES HELD TO BLAME
Importation of Orientals for Laborers
Is Opposed.
MONTESANO. Wash.. May 11. (To
the Editor.) I would like to say a few
words in regard to the letter written
by Eastern Oregon Farmer. If he needs
more help on his farm than he has let
him pay wages according to the pric
he will get for his wheat and he will
Bet the help.
We don't need any more Japanese or
Chinamen in the United States than we
have now and the American people are
not going to stand for 1L
There are thousands of Idle Ameri
cans In the United States today and it
they were forced to work or join the
Army there would be no shortage of
labor at harvest time. America for
Americana. IRA I. EERRIER.
AIR AND SEA WAR THEATERS
Allies, With German Enrrcr, Could
Win by Aeroplane Attack.
OREGON CITY. Or.. Slay 11. (To
the Editor.) Replying to your edito
rial of recent date concerning attack
ing the strong and vital points of the
German Empire, it occurs to me that -
ir tne antes naa or even now should
use the same energy that the German
Empire is using in their under-water -craft,
that they, the allies, could with .
the same energy in aircraft strike the
vital points in the German Empire men-
tioned In your editorial.
Everything so far, indicates that
the wars of the future will be fought -In
the air and beneath the sea.
C. IL P1GGOTT.
V