Women's Section Special Features SECTION. FIVE Pages 1 to 12 VOL.. XXXVI. LETTER DESCRIBES OF Radio Operator Writes Thrill ing Account of How Ship Sank in 14 Minutes. FRENCH HEAR S. 0. S. CALL A. P. Gussman Picked XTp In Ex hausted Condition Half an Hour After He Left Vessel Crash Comes at Hour of Midnight. How the American steamship Kan Ban, torpedoed without warning, sank in -14 minutes off the French coast last July, while carrying a crew of BO, is told in thrilling fashion, in a letter re ceived by Frank H. Barstow, manager of the Federal Telegraph Company, from A. P. Guysman, chief radio oper ator on the vessel at the time, who nar rowly escaped losing his life by hero ically striving to summon assistance while the sea was quickly rising about him. Gussman, who was the last man to leave the Kansan, was receiving news dispatches from a radio station in Ire land when he was suddenly thrown from his chair by the terrific explo sion which wrecked the engine room and plunged the ship Into total dark ness. Quickly realizing the situation, Guss man ordered his assistant to save him self while he took charge of the in struments and succeeded in notifying the French government of the dis aster. The Kansan sank so rapidly Gussman soon found the water above his knees, forcing him to swim for his life. He was picked up 30 minutes later in an exhausted condition by a lifeboat. Kantian In Many Thrillers. The Kansan. in command of Captain K. A. Forsythe, had figured in a num ber of thrilling episodes since the out break of the war. In October, 1916, the Kansan was held up off the New England coast by the German subma rine U-53 when the diver made a trans Atlantic cruise to the United States and sank a number of allied vessels off the Nantucket shoals. In this in stance she was not molested when the captain learned she was an American vessel. In December the Kansan struck a mine in the war zone and was re ported sunk. Later she was salvaged and returned to New York. The Kansan, a vessel of 7300 tons, was valued at $3,000,000 and on her last voyage she carried a cargo val ued at J2.000.000 consigned to the French government. . Guasman's letter, written on his re turn to New; York, follows in part: "S. O. S." Fint Thought. "On July 11, at 12:14 A. M., I was copying press from a radio station at Poldhu. Ireland, on the Kansan, en route from New York to a port in France, when suddenly there was a ter rible explosion which threw me out of my chair and the good old ship shook from stem to stern. . I rushed out after the second operator, who had gone off watch at midnight, and reported to the captain, who gave me the following po sition to send out with my 'S. O. S.': 'S. S. Kansan, torpedoed off Bell Isle; sinking fast.' "I released the second operator, sent out the ,S. O. S.' on the auxiliary set (the ship's dynamo having stopped shortly after the impact, leaving the ship in total darkness), and was an swered by a station in France, who complained of weak signals and asked me to repeat our position, which I did na iinaiiy got his 'O. K.' Operator Forced to Swim. "I then went to my room after my be longings, and threw them into No 2 lifeboat. As no one had left the ship yet I went back to my post, called the French station again, but got no re sponse. Then the ship gave a sudden lunge and I thought we were 'goners.' I rushed out to where No. 2 life boat was supposed to be and found it gone. I walked aft, looking for some thing to cling to, and finally awoke to the fact that I was above my knees in water, but the forward end of the ship was dry. There didn't seem to be any one on the ship, so I just laid down and swam and was picked up by the second officer's boat 30 minutes later don't think I could have held out much longer. "The Kansan sank in 66 feet of water. Had I known this -I wouldn't have left the ship, as I could have re mained high and dry on the forward mast. She was on the bottom just 14 minutes after she was hit. so you can Imagine how quickly things happened. Ship Hit IVrar Shore. "We were only three miles off shore, but had to row 10 miles to the nearest place before we could land. Two of the lifeboats were missing, but showed up several hours later. The one I had put my belongings in was capsized and all I saved outside of what I wore was a suit of 'B. V. D.s' and a pair of sox. "There was great excitement in the port when we landed. The Frenchies knew of the torpedoing all right, but they were still in port with their sub marine chaser. One week out, however, soon after we arrived, which was about 4 A. M. As far I know they didn't encounter the submarine, which, of course, had several hours to get away. "We returned to New York as pas sengers on another ship and I am go ing out again next week on the same run on the steamship Edward Luck enbach." GRAYS HARBOR PLANS FAIR Nearly All Display Space Already Is Taken at Elnia. EIiMA, Wash., Sept. 1. (Special.) Xearly all display space at the Gray. Harbor County Fair, which will open September 5, has been taken and en tries are still coming in. There will be an exceptionally fine exhibit of livestock, E. L. Brewer, Judge Brady, Frank Glenn and others having already entered their herds. About 75 head of hogs have also been entered. The racing programme will be the best that has ever been seen in this city. Forty-eight entries have been made to date. There will be two har ness races and two running races each day, beginning the second day of the iair- SUNG KAON OUTLINE OF ORGANIZATION OF WESTERN DIVISIONS OF NEW NATIONAL 'ARMY NOW ENCAMPED AT AMERICAN LAKE, WASHINGTON, IS COMPLETED Vast Cantonment Will Be Ready With All Army Comforts for First Increment of Nearly 50,000 Men, Who Will Arrive This Week at Camp Lewis Nine Thousand Workers Busily Engaged m Putting Finishing Touches on More Than 1300 Buildings Vast Maneuver Field Is Available and Soldiers Will Be Familiarized With Conditions They Will Meet on Battlefield. ' 1 1 ygTg -i - i-i - - vm. - - VI 1 'HX " BY JOHN CONDON. Tacoaia, sept. i. (special.; vvitn outlines of the organization jot the Western contingent of the first National selective Armyi Major-Gen-eral Henry A. Greene and his staff are awaiting the arrival of the first in crement of the new fighting force, which will reach Camp Lewis, Ameri can Lake, during the coming week. Major David L. Stone, constructing quartermaster, and the great civilian force of more than 9000 men employed by the Hurley-Mason Company, Port land and Tacoma, in building the mili tary city, almost have completed their work. The vast cantonment on the prairies lying about the seven lakes embraced in the 76,000-acre military reservation practically Is ready for the reception of the 46,169 officers and men who will go into training for overseas serv- Mlles of buildings, 1377 in all, have been constructed, and every man will be comfortably housed and well fed from the first day he detrains at the camp. A wonderful community has sprung up In eight weeks. Water, sewage and light system as extensive as those built for cities of 200,000 Inhabitants are all in working order. Great crews of men are finishing up the base hospital, which will have 6000 beds when It is completed, and uniforms and arms are ready for the first half hundred thou sand called to the colors from Western states. Vast Supply Problem Solved. One of the great problems when the work was started was to get sup plies. But the fir emergency commit tee of the West Coast Lumbermen's Association hurried lumber to the can tonment without halting work for a day. Oregon and Washington mills re sponded to the call of George S. Long and J. T. Gregory, the men appointed to see that the lumber arrived on time. In all 35,000,000 feet of lumber was used in the work, as well as 50,000 win dow sashes and 12,000 doors. The busi ness was apportioned between 100 mills, and no order larger than the capacity of a mill was sent out. It was the same way with all other sup plies, and the lumbermen refused be balked in their efforts to make good. In one Instance a- shortage of glass for the windows was imminent- A telegraphic order was sent to the mills at Pittsburg, Pa., and six carloads of small panes were on their way the same day that the telegram was re ceived. Every unit of the work was co ordinated and worked without a hitch. Soldier and civilian worked together amiably. Major Stone and his force and Charles B. Hurley and his staff cleaned away a mountain of work daily. As the work progressed it was speeded up, and during the last two weeks the Hurley-Mason Company and the Inde pendent Asphalt Company, sub-contractor, had. more than 9000 men on the payroll. Hundreds of motor trucks were used In placing material and train after . train rolled into the yards loaded with necessaries for construc tion. " Most Building Semi-Temporary. Most of the buildings are of a semi temporary character. Although Camp Lewis will be a permanent division post for 18,000 men after the war is over, the Government was In such haste to have the job finished by Sep tember 1 that It slapped many build ings together so that they would serve the purpose. These later will be re placed. Oregon soldiers will be comfortably cared for and every want will be looked out for when they arrive. They will start training Immediately, for the 1400 officers, the majority of them trained at the Presidio, have been as- J signed to their work and the men PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY 3IOIINING, r sorted out into companies, -regiments and brigades. . t Is the . purpose of Major-General Greene and his staff, including Brigadier-Generals F. S. Foltz, Edward Burr, H. T. Styer and Irons, to give the men the most intensive training possible. They are all old campaigners and they know that training in the camp is su perior to that of the battlefield, when the morale of the Army depends in a large measure on the discipline of the men. Camp Lewis pleases Major-General Greene. "Wonderful, simply wonder ful," was the appreciation he voiced In speaking of the natural site for the camp and the construction work that has been done. He is appreciative also of what Tacoma has done to make the officers and men happy while here. Citizens of the city began planning weeks ago. Realizing the bringing together of such a great body of men into a camp without home influence, residents of the city began the work of out lining entertainment for the thousands who were to come. "The hospitality which Tacoma has extended to the boys is an inspiration and an example to other cities at which posts are situated," said Major-General Greene. "As to the way in which Taco ma is planning to receive the soldiers stationed here. I do not think that any thing has been forgotten. All of the community seems to be working to gether with a singleness of purpose which Insures success." Reception Planned for Staff. Major-General Greene and his staff will be the honor guests at. a welcoming banquet to be given by the Commercial Club next Thursday night. The 1200 members of the club will have a chance then to meet the officers and become acquainted. As yet the enter tainment plans are in the embryo state. The Knights of Columbus and Y. M. C. A., have laid out their plans. Work has already started on the three build ings planned by the Knights of Colum bus as part of their war work to help the soldiers, irrespective of religious convictions. The first building, which will be a combination chapel and recreation hall, is now under construc tion. Catholic soldiers will have an opportunity of assisting at mass there and the society will maintain a chap lain, or more than one if necessary, at the cantonment. The recreation hall will be a clubroom and gymnasium with an auditorium where lecturers will speak, moving picture shows will be given and theatrical entertainments will be held. The society will spend between 140,000 and $50,000 there. This is part of the $3,000,000 raised for such work throughout the United States. The" Y. M. C. A. 4s proceeding along similar lines and its temporary build ing now In use will be supplanted by a more permanent structure by the time the full force arrives. Y. W. C. A. Will Aid. The Y. W. C. A. has established a hostess house also with Miss Masie MacMaster, of Portland, in charge. Here soldiers will have an opportunity of meeting women friends and rela tives who visit the camp. Miss Mac Master obtained her training at the Plattsburg, N. Y.. camp. Some days ago orders came from the War Department to motorize the cantonment as far as possible. Nothing more definite has been received as yet. Stables were planned for 15,000 horses and mules, but the number may be ma terially cut down. However, garages and service stations will take the place of the stables if the order is car ried out. The camp is regarded as a great engineering feat. Oregon men had their part in this. The Eighteenth Engineers, commanded by Colonel Cavanaugh, was the first unit on the job. It was made up of many Orego nlans. Then when they left for "some where In France," Company B, Cali fornia Engineers, recruited In Los An- U ' Ill1 ? r'-l f' 'iV-t -rwr P-M ; 1 taf. -rmsrtisjs sri Z.i'eizi ?.c7.C'fi7r'-s-7-ri an. A. . Collier. , - London geles, took up the task. Now this group is leaving and Companies B and C, Oregon Engineers, are running lines and attending to the other details of laying out the military reserve which will be bought with the $2,000,000 in bonds issued by the people of Pierce County, in which Tacoma Is situated. It has already been presented to the Government as a gift. No lovelier spot could be found for a camp of this character. It includes lakes, trees, plains, forest and salt water. The Nisqually prairie, a terrain LONG LIST OF OPERA STARS RECRUITED IN NEW YORK FOR SEASON IN MEXICO Sigaldi Obtains Services of Polacco Percy Granger, Enlisted as Private in Army, to Appear in Concerts, Entire Proceeds to Be Turned Over to Red Cross Society. BY EMILIE FRANCES BAUER. N' EW YORK. Sept. 1. (Special.) The shadow of coming events Is cast before in the matter of the gathering of the clans of Sigaldi's opera season in Mexico for which he has secured the services of Giorgio Polacco, which in Itself would seem to warrant a success. Polacco is no stranger among the Latin countries who know and love opera. His success in South America was quite as great as it was in Amer ica or in England, where at Covent Garden he was an acknowledged fa vorite. Around Polacco has been gathered a SEPTEMBER 2, 1917. r j&ores-Aro , Former Co. C, Jnyirze?z5; conon. seven miles long and four and one half miles in width, presents a perfect terrain for large maneuvers and heavy artillery practice. It is of a sandy soil and may be used all year around. The Portland ambulance company ar rived during the week and pitched tents on the west side of the Pacific company of exceptional merit with Anna Fitziu to follow the sensational success she has had since last she was heard at the Metropolitan, where she created the leading role of the late Granados' "Goyescaa," Maggie Teyte; Tamaki Mlura, the Japanese soprano, for "Mme. Butterfly" and "Iris." Rosa Raisa, the eminent Chicago Opera As sociation soprano; Edith Mason, Roslna Zottl. Lena Ragglani. Maria Gay. Lilian Eubank, Maria Alemanni, Elena Ave dano and Llna Mingonl. Zenatello alternates with Constantino, which body will also include Zinovleff, Taccani, Kital and It is understood that .. ft . ... ave JV.Z.. e?aZon, or Co. 2T. Highway, opposite the rising base hos pital and the camp of Provisional Field Hospital B, also a Portland organiza tion. The ambulance unit, although organized two months, has not yet re celved an official designation and the men are yet to receive issues of clothing. Sanitary troops from Fort Riley, Kan., are on the ground also. The unit includes four infantry regimental de tachments, three field artillery regi mental detachments, one ambulance orps and one field hospital corps. 1 the Spanish tenor, Lazzaro, will also be of the company, as will Carlos Mejia, a Mexican tenor. The baritones will include Vicente Ballester. the Spanish favorite, who will be at the Metropolitan next season; Rimini and Stracciari. both of the Chi cago Operatic Association; Millo Picco and Brunettl. Andreas d Segurola, the well-known basso of the Metropolitan, will head the bassos, among whom Is noted Ananian and Lazzarl. Assisting Polacco will be Carlo Ni cosia and the chorus masters and re- iConcludtd on Pas 6. Column 4.) NO. 35. ART L WILL OPEN OCTOBER Portland Association's Classes Will Draw Young Students From All Over Northwest. FOUR INSTRUCTORS NAMED Henry F. Wentz and Misses Helen Putnam, Clara Stephens and Hen rietta Failing to Guide Work of Young Artists. Those who are preparing to enter art school are anticipating the opening of the school of the Portland Art Associa tion which will begin its regular Fall session on October 1. The courses cover first, second and third-year drawing and painting, composition; first, second and third year design and craft work (Including weaving, pot tery, block-printing and stenciling), evening life classes, a class in art ap preciation, lectures and class work in art history and children classes. The instructors will be Henry F. Wentz, Miss Helen Putnam, Miss Clara J. Stephens and Miss Henrietta H. Failing. Constructive class problems will in clude work for the Christmas exhibi tion, civic posters and the final dra matic pantomime. The work in the craft classes will lead to a department of practical work. This year Mr. Wentz -will criticise the first and second-year work In drawing and painting, in which stu dents receive a thorough foundation for work in any branch of artistic endeavor and find a means for the expression of their individual talents. The Wednesday morning sketch class, under Miss Stephens, gives an exhilarating drill In quick drawing from life. Miss Stephens will also have the third-year painting class, in which Bpecial effects of composition and lighting will be used. The normal work for third-year stu dents, under Miss Putnam, will fully prepare students, to teach art. Miss Putnam s experience in normal work and at the Francis Parker school gives especial value to this class and ad vanced students will have practice teaching. Among the special classes. Miss Stephens' new class in appreciation on Monday mornings will be of particular interest; Mr. Wentz' fortnightly com position class is always of great value. Wednesday afternoons will be the time for the class conferences on the history of art under Miss Failing. The lectures In connection with these will be on Thursday afternoons. Aliss Putnam's lectures on Egyptian and other early art, Greek and Roman art, will be given in October and No vember. Miss Stephens will again be in charge of the children's classes. Mr. Wentz will conduct the evening classes, where some of the most serious work of the school is done. GOLDEN WEDDING IS KEPT Eight of Ten Children Celebrate With Their Father and Mother. MONMOUTH. Or.. Sept. 1. (Special.) Mr. and Mrs. Lycurgus M. Butler, of this city celebrated their golden wed ding anniversary August 25, with a gathering attended by 30 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Butler's maiden name was Mary E. Witherspoon. They were married in Carrol County, Arkansas, came west in 1875, settling in Southern Idaho and later moving to Oregon. Mr. Butler was a bugler in Company K, First Arkansas Cavalry. Of ten children, one Is dead. The others, with the exception of Mrs. Allen Short, of Turner, Wash., were present at the anniversary. Those present were: Milton J. Butler, Scappose. Or.; Mrs. J. W. Beals, Snohomish, Wash.; Mrs. J. N. Armstrong, Lake Stevens. Wash.: Mrs. G. L. Archibald. Wheeler. Or; Monroe Butler. Scappose. Or.; Jonathan II. Butler, Portland; Theodore E. Butler, Spokane; William A. Butler, Portland. FUNERAL OF VETERAN HELD II. S. Beers, Who Died at Soldiers' Home, Was Aged Nearly 80. COTTAGE GROVE. Or., Sept. 1. (Special.) The funeral of II. S. Beers, who died Saturday at the Soldiers' Home at Roseburg, was held here. Tuesday, Rev. J. F. Smith, of Rose burg, conducting the services, which were under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic. Interment was in the Brumbaugh Cemetery, near the old home of the Beers family. The cause of death was old age. Mr. Beers was born In Yates County, New York, and was nearly 80 years old. He had lived here and at Roseburg for seven years or more. He was a veteran of the Civil War. being a corporal in Company B, Sixth New York Cavalry. He was twice wounded. Surviving chil dren are: A. B. Beers, of Centralia, Wash.; George S. Beers, of Ostrander, Wash., and J. F. Beers, of Hornbrook, Cal. PETITIONS SK FREEDOM Effoat to Be Made to Get Release of Alleged Embezzlers. MARSHFIELD, Or., Sept. 1. (Spe cial.) Petitions are being circulated in the Coquille Valley, asking for the re lease of F. W. Raicy and A. It. Weidner. confined in the county jail for the past five months, awaiting trial at the Oc tober term of court on a charge of em bezzlement of newspaper contest funds from Frank B. Cameron, editor of the Agitator. Messrs. Weidner and Raicy obtaineC considerable notoriety and some sym pathy through their sensational escape from the Coos County Jail, ahd their voluntary return in about ten days. It la said the petitions are receiving much support, since the argument is put forth the men have already paid the penalty through their Incarceration for five months. SCHQD