70 Pages
Six Sections
VOL. XXXVI. NO. 51.
PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 23, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
Section One
Pages lto20
DELAYED
BY
ADMIRAL CAPPS
Steel ShipConstruction
Long Held Up.
WOOD WORK IS HANDICAPPED
Southern Pine Producers Un
able to Deliver Timber.
COAST MATERIAL NOW USED
Chairman Hurley, of Shipping
Board, Charles Piez, of Fleet
Corporation, and Others Testi
fy at Senate Investigation.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 22. Testimony
today of Shipping Board officials in the
Senate's investigation of delays to the
building programme, disclosed that thse
start on construction of fabricated steel
chips was delayed two months by the
refusal of Rear-Admiral Capps, for
merly general manager of the Emerg
ency Fleet Corporation, to close con
tracts negotiated by his predecessor,
Ojor-General Goethals, until many
erations in them were made.
:;he fabricating construction delay
and other delays to the programme
were brought out In questions asked
by the Senate commerce committea con
ducting the inquiry of Chairman Hurley
and John A. Donald, of the Shipping
Board, Charles Piez, naw general man
ager of the corporation, and Rear
Admiral Bowles, his aide.
Soma of the causes for the general
delay in both steel and wooden con
struction were given by the witnesses
as changes in specifications, differences
between Admiral Capps and guilders,
and slow delivery of materials. The
cumulation of delays, Mr. Hurley ad
mitted under questioning, ' brought
about the recent reorganization of the
fleet corporation which ended in Ad
miral Capps resignation.
Ssntfcern Pine Deliveries.- Slow.
- The wooden building programme was j
held back largely, Mr. Pies testified, by
the inability of southern pine producers
to deliver timber. The condition of af
fairs was uncovered by an. Investigat
ing committee headed' by Mr. Pies,
which made a tour of the yards for
the Shipping Board.
"Whose fault was tha.tr Mr. Piez
was asked.
"I do not know," he replied. I under
stand that the Southern Pine Associa
tion promised to deliver the timbers
and then fell down on the order."
"What are you doing to correct the
Bituation?"
We are having fir brought from the
Pacific Coast."
Many contracts already let for
wooden ships in the East will have to
be .transferred to the West. Mr. Plez
added, in order to get the vessels com
pleted, as sufficient timber- cannot be
had in the East.
Senator Kelson directed a long series
of questions at ML Plez to learn why a
practical shipbuilder would not be a
proper man for general manager.
"Are you a shlpbiulder?" asked the
Senator.
Plea Not- Ship Builder.
"No," replied Mr. Piez, "but I have
had large experience in organization
and manufacturing work."
"Don't you think it would be better
to have a practical builder at the head
of the shipping programme."
"I have engineering training and
have a force of .experts under me."
Finally Mr. Piez said somewhat
sharply:
"I want you to understand. Senator,
(Continued on Page 6. Column 8.)
BUILDING
NEW YORK DOWN TO
DAY'S FUEL SUPPLY
DRASTlfC COXSERVATIOX MEAS
URE ISBER CONSIDERATION.
Committee Will Be Appointed to De
termine What Industries Will
; Be Allowed Coal.
KEV YORK, Dec. 22. With only
about ja day's supply of fuel in the city
In exctess of Its needs, drastic conserva
tion measures were under considera
tion Uoday a.t a conference between Al
bert I. Wiggin. and Reeve Schley, fuel
administrators, rspectlvely, for New
York: State and New York County.
"Vfe are not going to be drastic to
the extend of causing an industrial
eruition, however," said Mr. Wiggin
in sinnouncing that a conservation com
mittee would be appointed, three mem
bens of which were to be coal men. This
committee, in accordance with instruc
tions' from the Federal fuel adminis
tration, will determine what Industries
axe to be supplied with coal after do
mestic needs have been met.
. "The cutting off of heat and light to
such places as skating rinks and cab
arets, the dimming of electric advertis
ing signs and the elimination of excess
lighting in public places are under
stood to be some of the measures which
probably will be taken to save fuel.
While these precautions were being
considered, coal dealers announced that
more coal for New York City reached
New Jersey tidewater points today than
had been received there In any like
period this Winter.
HOTEL BUS FELLS MAN
Unidentified Pedestrian Run Over at
Sixth and Davis Streets.
An unidentified pedestrian about 60
years old was badly injured at 6:30
o'clock last night by being struck by
the Oregon Hotel bus, driven by Ches
ter Elliott, at Sixth and Davis streets.
He was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital
at 7:30. P. M.
The chauffeur reported to Harry P.
Coffin, chairman of the public safety
commission, that he was driving north
on Sixth street about 12 miles an hour
when the man stepped out from be
hind another machine. The fender of
the bus struck the pedestrian, carried
him a few feet and then dropped him
under the wheels.
GERMANS AGAIN TRY RAID
One Hostile Airplane Forced to De
scend In England.
LONDON, Dec. 22. An air raid was
attempted on the Kentish, coast shortly
after 6 o'clock tonight. On raider
was ..forced to descend close- to the
coast, the crew of three being cap
tured! alive. No other machines have
come over land at this time.
A tecond attack developed about 9:30,
when a few bombs were dropped in
Thanet. The raiders did not penetrate
further inland. No casual-ties or dam
age resulted.
GERMAN LOSSES ASSERTED
Krupp Plant Reported Quadrupled
to Keep Submarines Supplied.
GENEVA, Dec. 22. The Krupps
have recently quadrupled their naval
plant near Kiel, according to a dis
patch from Berlin by way of Berne to
La Suisse. -
This was done at the request of the
German government for the purpose
of making up losses in submarines,
which, the dispatch asserts, have been
heavier than the German Admiralty
admits.
101 VICTIMS OF SUBMARINE
British Armed Steamer Torpedoed
ln Irish Channel.
LONDON. Dec. 22. The British armed
steamer Stephen Furness has been tor
pedoed and sunk by a German subma
rine in the Irish Channel, it was offi
cially announced today.
Six officers and 96 men were lost.
CARTOONIST REYNOLDS GIVES US THIS
FURIOUS ASSAULT
REGAINS ASOLONE
Italians Drive Back
Teutons in Night
FIGHTING TERRIFIC ALL DAY
Sleeping Garrison on Summit
of Mountain Surprised.
SERIOUS MENACE REMOVED
Italian Sailors and Marines, Land
ed From Fleet, Attack Enemy At
tempting to Cross Old Plave at
Nearest Point to Venice.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ITALIAN
ARMY IN NORTHERN ITALY. Dec. 21.
(By the Associated. Press.) In & suc
cession of brilliant attacks throughout
yesterday and today the Italians suc
ceeded in dislodging the enemy from a
great part of Monte Asolone and. driv
ing him back more than two-thirds of a
mile along a three-mile front.
Asolone Serious Menace. s
The enemy's occupation of Asolone
was regarded as a serious menace, be
cause It gave him partial control of
San Lorenzo Valley, leading to the
plain and Bassa.no.
A determined effort was made,
therefore, to " redeem the position. The
first attack was in darkness at 2
o'clock yesterday morning. when a
email detachment of the Seventh In
fantry climbed Monte Asolone and
made a furious charge on the sleeping
garrison. For a time the little band
was beyond the summit. but was
finally driven back by superior num
bers. Fighting Furious All Day. v
The day attack began at 10 o'clock
in the morning, when the Alplnl and
Seventh Regiments advanced on a
three-mile front, having Asolone as its
center. The left and center moved
straight ahead, while the right exe
cuted a turning movement which par
tially enveloped the enemy position on
Asolone.- The fighting was furious all
through the day and into the darkness
of last night, when the Italians had
again mastered the strategic points of
Asolone, and the enemy was pushed
back for nearly a mile.
Marines Drive Back Enemy.
The enemy's effort to cross the old
Plave at the nearest point to Venice
has been thrown back by Italian
sailors and marines. The enemy used
armed flatboats carrying a storming
party. The Italians landed a party
from the fleet and engaged in the
enemy, driving him back and sinking
one of his armed boats.
BOMBS WRECK FARM HOUSE
Samuel Blesel, Wife and Five Chil
dren Receive Warning.
EUGENE, Or.. Dec. 23. (Special.)
Bombs were set off on three sides of
the house occupied by Samuel Blesel,
wife and five small children on Cedar
Flat, near Hendricks bridge, Thursday
night and Friday morning. Blesel found
a warning, with skull and crossbones
and the words, "Move out."
The explosions occurred at about 11
o'clock at night. One destroyed the
woodshed and the others damaged the
house and broke the windows.
The officers, working under the di
rection of Sheriff J. C. Parker, are
making an Investigation. Blesel Is said
to have had some trouble with rest
dents of that neighborhood over the
use of the range.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 57
decrees; minimum. 47 degree.
TODAY'S Unsettled, probably rain; mod
erate winds,, mostly westerly.
War.
Russian quit peace conference with Ger
mans, is report. Section 1, pare 8.
American "women working to restore devas
tated districts of France. Section 1.
pace 8.
Italians In furious assault regain Mount
Asolone. Section 1. page 1
, Foreign.
Canada bars liquors to save grain. Section
1. page 2.
Main Krupp plant at Essen reported dam
aged cerlously by fire. Section 1 page 6.
Japan declares reports of army mobilization
groundless. Section 1, page S.
War shaking passivism of German public
Section 1, page 5.
Ex-Premier Calllaux, of France, will be
tried for treason. Section 1, page 1.
National.
Steel ship construction delayed by action
of Admiral Capps. Section 1, page 1.
Crozler berated in Senate Army inquiry.
Section 1, page 2.
Iomestlc.
New York Is down to single day's fuel sup
ply. Section 1, page 1.
30 suspected dynamiters arrested in Sacra
mento. Section 1, page 3.
2000 men train at San Diego school. Sec
tion 1, page 4.
1S2 enlisted men will attend, third officers
training camp. Section 1, page 17.
Court declares George W. P. Hunt Governor
of Arizona. Section 1, page 9.
Confession reported In notorious Keet kid
naping case. Section 1, page 6.
Packers' side lines widely ramify In Con
gressional Inquiry. Section JU page 6.
Sports. ,
Seattle's fighting fireman is star. Section
2, page 1.
National Collegiate Association meet Friday.
Section 2, page 1.
State swimming and diving meet Is January
1. Section 2, page 2.
Mount Angel basketball team's prospects
bright. Section 2, page 2.
Judge McCredle asks fans to help pick man
ager for Colts. Section 2. page 2.
Basketball prospects at Eugene gloomy. Sec
tion 2, page 2.
Philadelphia angry over sale of Alexander
and Killifer. Section 2, page 8.
Athletics benefit soldiers. Section 2, page S.
"Big Ten fix track and baseball schedules.
Section 2. page 4.
Gotch's work on mat unsurpassed. Section
2, page 4.
California boxers gain good reputations In
Portland by victories. Section 2, page 4.
Hockey season opens here. Section 2, page 8.
Pacific Northwest.
Many would be Seattle's Mayor to succeed
HI Gill. Section 1. page 7.
Astoria people send telegrams to Washing
ton protesting against proposed removal
of troops from Fort Stevens. Section 1,
page 10.
Two members of Public Service Commission
express opposition to proposed sone-fare
plan. Section 1. page 10.
Commercial and Marine.
Expected advance In potato pricee doea not
materialise. Section 2. page 11.
Government scores present wool values as
Inflated. Section 2, page 11.
Coarse grains close higher In Chicago mar
ket. Section 2. page 11.
Foreign war bonds atroncer In Wall street.
Section 2, page lL
Mock court fines aboard steamer Rose City
aids Red Cross fuads. Section 2, page 12.
Henry Jacobs en. of Tenth Engineers, writes
from France. Section 2. page 12.
Five hundred thousand -men are wanted to
man big emergency fleet. Section 2
page 12.
Portland 'builders, respond to Nation's plea
for more ships. Section 2, page 12.
Portland and Vicinity.
Sixteen-year-old ' Flossie Coffman found
when Italian confesses. Section 1, page 4.
K. D. Cuslck wants Republican nomination
for State Treasurer. Section 1, page 8.
Portland's gift of 22- ambulances busy on
French battlefields. Section, 1, page 11.
Shziners spread Christmas cheer. Section 1.
page 7.
Two sons of Dr. Benjamin H. Fisher enlist.
Section 1, page 11. : -
Dr. Luther R. Dyott dies. Section 1, page 12.
Japan fetes Hardy, Perry expedition sur
vivor. Section 1. page 13.
Mayor Baker lays down rules for vice sup-,
presslon. Section 1, page 1.
F. W. Volger discusses functions of big
distributor. Section 4, page S.
Fathers of Oregon men In service to
form permanent organization. Section 1,
page 14. '
Classification of questionnaires keep boards
busy. Section 1. page 15.
Lucy Carter's companion held for her mur
der. Section 1. page 16.
Cornelius Lane spared tragi o fate by trans
fer from ill-fated destroyer. Section 1,
page 16.
Fifty-dollar prize attraction of coming State
Teachers' convention. Section L page 16.
Portland completes plans for entertainment
of thousands of soldiers and sailors. Sec
tion L page 16.
Colonel Dlsque glad to have spruee out here
if mills can handle work satisfactorily.
Section L page 17.
Promotion Is fast for successful students In
radio classes. Section L page 17.
Life In Swiss war colony portrayed by Mrs.
June Richardson. Section L page 18.
Many rumors current as to railroad changes.
Section 1. page 20.
German Is seised on answer in question
naire. Section 1. page 1.
Red Cross race rapid in Oregon', but Port
land lags. Section 1, page 12.
Portland will be host to loyal sons In serv
ice for Christmas. Section 1, page 1.
Weather report, data and forecast. Section
2, page 5.
PICTORIAL INTERPRETATION OF SOME RECENT
GAILLAUX WILL BE
TRIED FOR TREASON
Immunity Is Revoked at
ex-Premier's Demand.
ACCUSATIONS MEET DENIAL
French Deputies Suspend Par
liamentary Right, '41 7 to 2.
CROWDS ATTEND SESSION
In Impassioned Speech Before Body
of Chamber, Man Charged With
Dealing Treasonably With
Enemy Demands Inquiry.
PARIS, Dec. 22. A resolution was
adopted In the Chamber of Deputies
late today depriving ex-Premier Joseph
Calllaux of Parliamentary Immunity In
the accusations against him for alleged
treasonable dealings with the enemy.
The vote on the resolution was 417 to 2.
, A similar resolution In regard to
Deputy Louis Loustalot was adopted
with a show of hands by the chamber.
The chamber adopted the resolution
In regard to the ex-Premier after the
latter had made a long address In de
fense of his position and alleged ac
tions, and had asked that his Parlra
mentary Immunity be suspended so that
he might be tried and receive "Justice
concerning all the calumnies" to which
he had been subjected.
Public's Interest Intense.
"I demand a trial," exclaimed the
ex-Premier concluding his address, "so
that my voice may not be stifled by the
rolling tumbril of a new santerre."
The proceedings In the Chamber of
Deputies when the report of the Cham
ber's committee on the 'question of the
suspension of immunity of M. Calllaux
and Deputy Loustalot came up for dis
cussion interested the publio Intensely,
as was indicated by the fur-clad groups
of men and women" waiting In the
freezing atmosphere outside early to
day for the Chamber to open. ...
K Calllaux Slakes Reply.
Almost all the seats were occupied
when President Deschanel's bell rang
and M;- Pals ant, for 'the investigating
committee, rose to explain Its findings.
M. Calllaux entered at this juncture
carrying a bundle' of letters and docu
ments. Deputy Loustalot was next
heard, reading a brief declaration In a
tremulous voice, expressing his Indig
nation at being accused of complicity
in treasonable transactions. M. Calllaux
then rose.
"I will reply to the accusatlone of
which I am the object." he said, "with
as much reserve and as much self-control
as possible.
Country Served, Is Asserted.
"I am not accused of betraying my
country for money, no! But for ambi
tion." the former Premier continued,
and then declared with emphasis:
'Never have I tried directly or indirect
ly to come into contact with our en
emies. Never have I used subterranean
paths to succeed in a foreign policy.
"I have always to the full measure
of my powers served my country.
"The only reproach anyone could
make to me is that I have been too re
served." . The Chamber listened in absolute si
lence while M. Calllaux reviewed his
various relationships, which have been
regarded by his accusers as suspicious.
He denied having . sent Bolo Pasha
abroad or that he had anything to do
with Bolo's seeking of funds in the
United States to buy the Journal.
As for the Bonnet Rouge, that was a
political affair, he asserted, and then
entered into further explanations. In
regard to the Foreign Office docu-
Concluded on Page. 2, Column 8.)
: ,, "
GERMAN IS SEIZED
ON DRAFT ANSWER
FRANK MEYER SATS HE WOULD
EIGHT FOR KAISER.
Restaurant Worker, 2 6, Checks
Himself in Questionnaire
as Alien Enemy.
Frank Meyer. German resident of
Portland, is believed to be the first Ore
gon registrant to have put himself In
jail by means of questionnaire answers.
Meyer listed himself an alien enemy.
Now he is in Multnomah County jail
and Is to be interned for the duration
of the "war.
"There is no 60-50 In me," Deputy
United States Attorney Robert R. Ran
kin reports Meyer as having exclaimed
as he was being questioned regarding
his sworn allegiance to Germany.
"Then you mean to say that you
would, if you had the chance, return to
Germany and take up arms against the
United State?" Mr. Rankin Interro
gated. Meyer balked, and had to be shown
the right of the examiner to ask this
question. . Convinced on this point he
blurted out:
"Of course. I would."
"Marshal, take the man and hold him
for internment," rejoined the Govern
ment Inquisitor.
Meyer was arrested yesterday morn
ing by Deputy United States Marshal
E. T. Mass. at 251 Burnside street. In a
restaurant, where he was employed.
The arrest was due to the nature of
the answers the young German had re
corded In filling out his questionnaire.
In the questional Meyer, who gave
his age as 26, checked himself as an
alien enemy and answered "yes" to the
query as to whether or not he was
willing to return to his native country
and "enter its military service."
PATROLS KILL TEUTON SPY
Had Drawings of Troop Camps, Fort
Bliss and Other Fortifications.
EL PASO. Tex., Dec 22. Charles H.
Felge was shot and killed by United
States Army patrols when he attempted
to cross the river to Mexico here late
today. Felge was believed to have been
a German spy, and when his papers
were examined a notebook, drawings
and ground plans of troop camps. Fort
Bliss and other fortifications near here
were found.
He also carried a camera with him
and was believed to have been obtain
ing military Information for transmis
sion to Germany through Mexico.
PACIFIST GETS YEAR IN JAIL
Leader of Conscientious Objectors to
Be Drafted After Ho Serves.
SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 22. John W.
Rlls, pacifist. Socialist and exponent of
the doctrines of conscientious objectors
against war. was sentenced to one
year's Imprisonment by Judge Johnson;)
in the irederal Court today for failure
to present himself for physical exam
ination In connection with the draft.
Rlis will be available for military
service when his prison term expires.
NATURE STUDENT BURNED
Miss Opal Whitely Inhales Flame
When Coaloil Ignites.
EUGENE, Or., Dec. 22. (Special.)
Miss Opal Whitely, well-known nature
student, who is attending the Univer
sity of Oregon, sustained painful
burns of the face here today. The ac
cident happened where she haa been
rooming while attending school.
Miss Whitely was carrying two
quarts of coaloil near a stove when it
ignited. She inhaled some of the
flames, but It Is not believed her In
juries are of a permanent nature.
Republicans to Confer.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 12. It was an
nounced at Republican National Com
mittee headquarters today that Chair
man Wlllcox has called a meeting of
the committee In St. Louis February 12.
It Is understood Chairmr.n Wlllcox
recently has told friends pressure of
other business makes It desirable for
him to retire.
NEWS EVENTS.
BOYS Ifl KHAKI WILL
PASS HOLIDAY HERE
Advance Guard of 1000
in From Camp Lewis.
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT APPARENT
Great Free Attraction to Be
. Staged at Auditorium.
BANKS REWARD EMPLOYES
Santa Claus Will Bring Gifts to Lit
tle Folk Marooned on Trains and
Everywhere Plans Are Going
Ahead for Merry Day.
This will be essentially a soldiers'
Christmas.
Two special trains of soldiers from
Camp Lewis reacned Portland laBt
night, bringing about 1000 men In olive
drab, who will spend the ' week end
here, and a large proportion of them
will be able to stay over for the holi
days. From Bremerton, Fort Stevens, . Van
couver Barracks and other military and
naval camps roundabout will come
large numbers of men in the service
of the Nation, who will turn to Port
land for Christmas.
BIgr Entertainment Planned."
The municipal Auditorium will etage
a big entertainment for soldiers Christ
mas day, with dancing and theatrical
attractions, and refreshments at in
tervals, from noon until midnight. Sol
diers and sailors, with their families or
sweethearts, will be the only ones ad
mitted. For them, of course, there will
be no charge, and none others can get
In at any price.
Girls of the Honor Guard and others
will attend to make it an especially
big holiday for the visiting soldiers.
Local vaudeville houses will contribute
acts and four bands will supply music
for dancing. Twenty-five men of the
aviation section stationed at Vancou
ver Barracks will serve as the floor
committee.
Christmas Spirit Noted.
The Christmas spirit may be said to
be already here. It was evidenced in
the stores and on the streets yesterday,
in homes and business houses. The
shops 'are aglow with the tinsel and
greenery of the season and there are
more Christmas packages being shut
tled about the city for delivery than
the town ever saw before.
Santa- Claus invaded Portland banks
yesterday, when usual Christmas gifts
for employes were distributed. The
United States National gave each one
on the staff half of one month's sal
ary as a reminder of the season, and
the Northwestern National Bank gave
each one $25. The First National re
members Its employes at Christmas by
paying up for another year the pre
mium on the group life Insurance pol
icy In effect throughout the Institu
tion. The Bank of California has dis
tributed as a special Christmas token
half of one mont's salary.
Bonuses to Be Given.
This delightful Christmas custom will
be observed widely throughout the city.
Many business houses will recognize
that their prosperity Is due largely to
the loyal work of employes, and will
reward It with gifts at this season.
Many of the biggest firms will dis
tribute special bonus gifts, but the an
nouncements will not be 'made until
tomorrow or Christmas day. Numerous
other establishments make their bonus
payments on New Year's.
Travel has never been so heavy at
this season as now. All rail lines re
port full trains .with former records
(Concluded on Page 2. Column 1.)