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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1919)
8 THE SUNDAY OliEGOXIAX, PORTLAND, JANUAT1V 19, 1919 STATE RELIEF BILL DECLARED 1 Amendment Held Remedy Defective Measure. for FAULTY SECTION IS FOUND Original Act Fails to JIake Provision for Auditing Claims by Sec retary of Slate. STATE CAPITOL Salem, Jan. 18. (Special.) The first bill to be passed by the Oregon Legislature, which pro vides for immediate relief of soldiers and sailors Dy the appropriation of J100.000 and the creation of a soldiers' and sailors' commission for the dis bursing of the funds, apparently Is un constitutional and invalid, and either an amendment of one of the sections of the measure, or Its re-enactment with amendment by the Legislature, will be necessary before the funds will be made available .for .the uses inr tended. The discovery of -the 'Weak- -section In the bill was made in the auditing department of Secretary" of State Ol- cott's office today when the bill was filed In that office as required by law. Weak Link Discovered. Section 4 of the bill is the weak Unit In the chain which was to have upheld the needy soldiers until Congress could take some sort of action for their benefit, and reads as follows: "Section 4 That there be and is hereby appropriated out of the moneys in the general fund of the state of Oregon not otherwise appropriated the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, which sum so ap propriated shall be disbursed by said commission for the purposes above specified. The fund hereby created shall be paid to said commission on warrants drawn on the State Treas urer by said commission from time to time." Added Provision Needed. It is pointed out that the bill, be cause of this section, is not only In valid, but unworkable and will neces sitate an amendment, or re-enactment, with an added provision, before the money can be secured from the treas ury. It Is shown that the Secretary of State is constitutionally the auditor of state accounts and the bill fails to make any provision for auditing1 of claims by the Secretary of State, nor does it provide for the creation of any fund. Under the law the State Treasurer Is merely the disbursing officer, it was pointed out by Secretary Olcott today, and as such keeps track of no funds whatsoever. It is necessary for a fund to be es tablished and the (bookkeeping is. done through the office of the Secretary of State, while under the section quoted the fund created "shall be paid to said commission on warrants drawn on the State Treasurer by said commission from time to time." Pajnnma-Pacifie Bill Cited. It was the object of the sponsors of the bill to have the money made so available that it could be paid out directly to the soldiers without the necessity of sending vouchers through the auditing department of the Secre tary of State and waiting for war rants to be drawn on these vouchers. The manner in which this could be obviated. Secretary Olcott stated today, would be under a plan similar to that adopted in the Panama-Pacific appro priation bill of the 1913 session, when provision was made for a sum of $5000 to be provided on a warrant drawn by the Secretary of State to be paid over to the commission. The commission paid out these funds as it 6aw fit. sending in properly veri fied vouchers after the money was ex pended. The act provided that after the $5000 was exhausted no other money could be paid from the whole appropri ation to the commission by the Secre tary of State until such time as all of the properly verified vouchers had been turned in by the commission. Defect In Pointed Out. The position of the auditing depart ment of the Secretary of State's office as to the validity of the soldiers' and tailors' relief bill was upheld by Attor ney-General Brown today when he tele phoned to James B. Kerr advising him to prepare an amendment to the bill to correct the apparent defect which has been caused by the wording of sec tion 4. The bill was drawn Jointly under the direction of Mr. Kerr, franklin T. Grif fith and the chairmen of the House' and Senate judiciary committees, L. K. Bean, of the House committee, and Senator Moser, of the Senate committee. The bili was drawn up late at night and not completed until after 1 o'clock the fol lowing Tnorninp, and considerable haste was necessitated in its execution. It is believed no particularly serious consequences will follow the discovery of the error further than to delay the operation of the commission in its re iicl worit ior a time. However, some of the Senators here today expressed themselves as being inclined to possibly take a different view on the bill than they did at first, when it comes up for amendment. The commission already has been ap pointed by the Governor and the mean ure signed by the Executive and the heads or the two houses. SPEEDV RELIEF IS PROMISED Invalidity of Legislative Act Not to Delay Operations. Attempt will be made to avoid loss or time In arranging assistance for Oregon s discharged soldiers, despite the invalidity of the relief act, said "W. B. Aver, who was named by 'the SHE DARKENED HER GRAY HAIR Well-Known Lady Tells How Darkened Her Gray Hair by Simple Home Made Remedy. She Mrs. E. H. Boots, a well-known resi dent of Buchanan County, la., who darkened her gray hair by a simple home-made remedy made the follow ing statement: "Any lady or gentleman can darken their gray or faded hair, and make it soft and glossy with this simple rem edy, which they can mix at home. To half a pint of water add 1 ounce of bay rum, one small box of Barbo Com pound and Vi ounce of glycerine. These ingredients can be purchased at any dru-g store at very little cost. Apply to the hair every other day until the gray hair is darkened sufficiently. This is not a dye, it does not color the most delicate scalp: is not sticky or greasy and does not rub off. It will make a pray-haired person look 10 to 20 years younger." Adv. Governor as chairman of the commis sion to handle the $100,000 fund and its related problems. Chairman Ayer indicated that the commission will proceed with its plans. unless the Governor asks for suspen sion of its activities. "I take it that the legislators. ne said, "feel very keenly the need for this work and will appreciate having it advanced as rapidly as possible while the technicality about the appro priation bill is corrected. I did not know about the flaw in the measure, but feel it is not presumptuous for us to move along, as we had no idea of incurring bills for some time." CIVIC LEAGUE IS FOR. COURT Women Indorse Grade Teachers' Bill at Noon Luncheon. A resolution indorsing the bill to pro vide a court of domestic relations in Multnomah County was unanimously adopted by the Oregon Civic League at its luncheon yesterday noon at the Benson Hotel. This is the first time that the league has indorsed any legis lative measure. Miss Jessie McGregor outlined the bill, which was sponsored by the Grade Teachers' Association. The measure provides that the first Judge of the court be appointed by the Governor from a list of candidates rec ommended by the Child Welfare Com mission. Succeeding judges are to be elected. Miss M. Brenda Francklyn. speaking here for the fatherless children of France, addressed the meeting. Next Saturday the league will con sider the bill for the consolidation of Portland and Multnomah County. .Standard Sign System Sought. STATE CAPITOL, Salem. Or, Jan. 18. - (Special.) Representative Sheldon today completed bills for Introduction some time next week requiring the state highway commission to maintain a standard sign system over the state iiighways. and also to extend the bill providing for the regulation tire width so it extends to all of the state, rather than to just those counties west of the Cascades, as the law now stands. BONO GUARANTEE URGED IRRIGATION FUTURE BOOSTED IN PROPOSED HOUSE BILL. Measnre Provides Safeguard in Privilege of Foreclosing When Interest Is Not Forthcoming. STATE CAPITOL, Salem, Jan. 18. (Special.) Representative P. J. Galla gher, of Harney and Malheur counties, has completed the draft of his bill to provide for the state guarantee of In terest and principal of bonds issued for irrigation, drainage and other land improvement districts. He will intro duce it In the House, probably Mon day. It will later be supplemented by constitutional amendment to make the bill workable, and both the bill and amendment are to be submitted to a vote of the people. Provisions of Mr. Gallagher's bill allow any land improvement district to apply to the State Land Board, which, for the purposes of the act, will be the Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Banks and State Engineer, and ask for the relief provided for under the law. Land Board's Powers Defined. The Land Board will be authorized to enter into contracts with purchasers of bonds of such districts, pledging the credit of the state in guaranteeing the purchaser that the interest and prin cipal of such bonds shall be paid. In throwing safeguards around this widely-extended power of the Land Board, the bill provides that the dis trict shall submit to the Land Board full and complete record of all its proceedings, and also the report of a competent engineer of recognized abil ity showing in detail all the necessary information surrounding the project. and the Land Board is to secure such other information as shall enable it to make a complete inquiry into the feasi bility and practicability of the proper reclamation of the district. It is only after a complete exami nation of such information and a de cision that the project .would be fully feasible that the bill would allow the Land Board to enter into the guarantee contracts on the interest and principal. Foreclosure Is Safeguard. The Land Board is also placed under the duty, when the guarantee contracts are issued, to keep fully familiarized with all construction and) labor con ditions on the project, is given power to compel levying of taxes, assessments and charges against the district. In event of failure of the district to pay the interest upon the bonds issued the board would be empowered to se cure a judgment against the district by foreclosing the lien against it for payment of such interest, in event the bond issue on a district is to exceed $1,000,000 the Land Board may appoint a competent engineer to advise with the district engineer on all problems arising relative thereto. TEACHERS MAY GET BOOST MINIMUM WAGE OF $75 MONTH PROPOSED BY WOMAN. Mrs. Alexander Thompson Declares Present Salary Is Too Low in Face of Requirements. STATE CAPITOL. Salem. Jan. 18. (Special.) The minimum wage for school teachers throughout Oregon will be $7S a month, if Mrs. Alexander Thompson, Representative from Hood River and Wasco Counties, has her way. . Mrs. Thmpson is considering the in troduction of a bill which will estab lish this minimum wage for all teach ers of the state. "Present teachers' wages in many instances are lamentably low," said Mrs. Thompson today in discussing the proposed measure. ''The standard of our instructors should be of the best, as they are required to devote a long period of their lives to fulfilling the requirements which are imposed upon them. Probably these requirements should be even higher. "But, as it is, the average wage of the teacher at about t60 a month is pittance for the apprenticeship they are required to serve and for the high qualifications- which they are com pelled to bring to their positions. High qualifications and a fitting salary to meet them should be the standard for instructors in Oregon and the proposed bill is a step in that direction. "I expect it will meet with opposi tion, but the plan is meritorious and thould receive the most careful con sideration." Umatilla Boy Dies in Service. PENDLETON, Or.. Jan. 18. (Special.) Private Roy A. Privett, of Pendleton, died yesterday at Langley Field. Va., of pneumonia- according to word re ceived here. The body will be sent to Colfax, Wash., where his father lives Prior to enlisting in the Marines Privett was salesman for the Pendle ton Marble Works. He is the 24th Uma tilla County boy to die in service. AUTD TAX COLLECTION COST BEFORE SOLONS Doubling of Present License Temporarily Delayed. BRIDGE BILL IS OPPOSED Spending of Excess Tolls on Roads Meets Opposition of Senator French, of -Clarke. OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 18. (Special.) Revision of the auto-license law In several important particulars by the present Legislature seems assured to night, due to road committee dissatis faction with an estimate of $490,000 submitted by Secretary of State I. M. nowell as the amount necessary to maintain the license collection depart ment for the coming two years. A Senate subcommittee, appointed to arart a bill doubling the present auto license fee. today postponed further ac tion to that end until the appropriations committee can ascertain and report its findings on what proportion of license revenue must be set aside as the cost of collecting it. This report is expected early In the week, when consideration of adopting a t3. 000. 000 programme of paving state highways partly from auto-license funds will be resumed. Collection Expense Soarm. Meanwhile, the Secretary or State's reasons for asking an appropriation of J25,000 annually for license collection cost is under close examination. Ac cording to the last report auto license revenue amounted to $890,000 in round numbers for the past 12 months. In 1917 the collection expense appropria tion was $188,721 for two years, which a deficiency appropriation of $25,000 will bring up to $106, 860 a year, cov ering the period when the cost of plate material reached Its maximum. The annual increased cost noted this year over the total allowed two years ago amounts to $138,140. In a controlling measure this gain is due to an act of two years ago au thorizing the Secretary of State to adopt a detachable number plate device clip, which fastens onto a permanent plate as licenses are renewed. The present plate is cheap and yellow in color. Waste In Declared Large. To displace it, the Secretary has set aside $230,000 of his present estimate for the purchase of first-class steel plates, in black and white enamel, for which white porcelain numeral clips have already been purchased for this year. It is estimated that about $6000 worth of these clips will have to be thrown away annually as the law now requires that a number once assigned remains Indefinitely credited to the owner's name and cannot be reassigned after lapsation. At least 20.000 licenses fail of renewal annually, but the clips have to be purchased in case the for mer holders ever reappear with later license applications. What will likely prove the fatal de fect in the present license law. how ever. Is the fact that its estimated cost demoralizes calculations upon which the Carlyon plan of bonding auto license collections for 30 years and using: the proceeds in connection with other funds to pave highways are based. This plan includes a compli cated series of proportional expendi tures of $5,000,000 annually, extending over a period of six years, and at pres ent founded upon an estimated over head expense of $100,000 a year for collecting auto license. License Legislation Delayed. That is why the Senate subcommittee could proceed no farther with the project to double auto license revenue until the question of auto license col lection cost is more satisfactorily ar rived at. The result will likely be re peal of the detached number plate re quirement and retention of the solid plate which is changed annually, espe cially since the Secretary of State iigures the solid plate can be handled more cheaply. The Secretary of State also asks for seven automobile deputies at salaries increased from $2500 a year each to $3600. The deputies are required to furnish and maintain machines in which to run down speeders, the wear and tear cost of which, they claim, has icu inem uttie margin. Senator Edward L. French, of rinrku County, today expressed his opposition to a bill advocated by Representative George McUey, also of Clarke. Mr. Mc Coy seeks to amend the Vancouver. Wash., bridge toll bill to Dermir. ex. penditure by county commissioners of any excess on toll revenue they care to use on improvement of roads. Bridge Bill Opposed. Mr. French opposes this on the irrounH that the entire toll collection should be devoted to paying off the bridge bonds. Otherwise, he believes, the bridge revenue will be distributed fruit lessly over various roads and the bridge inaeDteaness Jert unpaid. Of this latter $250,000 was borrowed from the state school fund, which the county can Dav back as it desires. It made a payment of 60,000 on this account last year and or du,oo on this account last year and bridge income far exceeds the bond in terest charge against it and it is Dart of this excess Mr. McCoy proposes to divert into the county road funds. With a total of $110,000 already re alized from tolls. Senator French be lieves that Clarke County will surrender its bond claim against the bridge and throw it open to free traffic if the state will take up the remaining $390,000 of county indebtedness. Governor Lister recommends' that the present Legisla ture appropriate $250,000 toward paying of the bridge debt, and It is possible that the $390,000 appropriation may be arranged and the bridge released from toll charges, giving auto traffic free access into and out of Portland to the north. Influenza Ban Overcome. Olympia and Thurston county over came the prospect of a threatened stringent flu ban today in a showing made to the state board of health by Dr. N. J. Redpath, County Health Of ficer. The State Board met here today to consider a. situation wherein they would have to invoke State Police au thority against the Thurston County Commissioners in order to compel ob servance of emergency regulations recommended by T. 1). Tuttle. State Health Commissioner, as a legislative precaution. Later figures snowed that but 2- deaths have been reported in city and county an a result of the epidemic since last September, only three houses in the city are under quarantine and the number of new cases dropped from 75 to 47 in two weeks immediately preceding the Legislature. In accepting this showing and dis claiming any further restrictions the state hoard complimented the local health authorities and gave Olympia and the county credit for being more fortunate than any other section of the state. Senator Howard D. Taylor, of King, appeared before the board, to argue against the ban. The Thurston County Board of Health had rejected the state com- missioner's recommendations for tighter restrictions unless they were made applicable to other counties. REAL ESTATE TAX PROPOSED State Health Board Allows Dances Outside of Olympia. OLYM PI A, Wash.. Jan. 18. Washingr ton's State Senate next week will have placed before It a bill to license real estate agents and salesmen and an other bill giving the State Insurance Commissioner power to approve or dis approve, or order reductions. In fire in surance rates. The real estate agents' bill would carry a penalty feature for agents violating the act and compel them to put up a surety bond for the recovery by clients when funds are withheld. As a result of the complaint by mny Senators of the health ban on dancing, the state board tonight lifted the ban. and dancing will be permitted Just out side the city limits, because of the City Council's influenza ban. which is still in effect. VANCOUVER BAN LIFTED Schools Reopen Monday and Gather- Ings Are Permitted. VANCOUVER, Wash., Jan. 18. (Spe cial.) For some reason the epidemic of influenza which staged a return here recently has shown signs of decreasing very much, and instead of closing the schools, library, churches, moving-picture shows and all public gatherings. it has been decided to lift the ban. Schools, closed for a few days, will reopen Monday, the churches will all hold services tomorrow and the mov ing-picture shows will continue usual, though only every other row of eats has been roped off. The doctors in the pest have ordered several lines of trade, such as barbers, butchers, bakers and employes in eat ing places, to wear masks, and this has been done during the past few day. MR. BRYAN MOVED TO TALK Resignation as Secretary of State Again Recalled. BALTIMORE. Jan. 18. William Jen nings Bryan made the following state ment here today concerning the state ment maae in a letter written by J. J. Dickinson to George Sylvetter Vlereck, purporting to give the reasons for Mr. Bryan s resignation as Secretary of State: "I do not care to discuss letters writ ten by other people, or their opinions. Mr. Bryan said, "but in regard to the incident referred to I will say that all I have seen so far in the Dickinson let ters refers to things thct took place fter my resignation and therefore could not xplain the resignation. My letter to the President and his reply explain the reasons for my resigna tion." AFTER-WAR PROBLEM TOPIC Representatives of Seven Western States Confer at Salt Lake. SALT LAKE CITY. Utah. Jan. 18. Representatives of seven western states gathered In conference here today, gave mpetus to the movement launched by Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane for settlement of soldiers and sailors on public lands, particularly lands in the West. Contemplating the probable expendi tures of hundreds of millions of dollars. the deliberations of the conference were extended over to tomorrow, when it developed that the matter was too gigantic to permit of hurried action. A committee was appointed to prepare resolutions which would Indicate to what extent the Western states repre sented were behind the Interior De partment's movement. Dallas Oil Well Abandoned. DALLAS." Or., Jan. 18. (Special.) Hopes of securing oil in paying quan tities from the well on the Whiteaker ranch, southeast of this city, has been abandoned by the Oregon Oil & Pipe line Company. The well was driven to a depth of 1200 feet. The project was fi nanced by local capital. Flu Epidemic Improves. NORTH BEND. Or.. Jan. 18. (Spe cial.) The fear expressed here recent ly that the city was in danger of a third wave of influenza was dispelled by the City Health Officer Dr. IC I. Sale of Dress Goods Suitings and Coat Materials BIG REDUCTIONS THIS WEEK ONLY FRENCH SERGE, CHEVIOTS, BROADCLOTH, CAPONS, DIAGONALS Guaranteed All Wool Latest Spring Styles Broadway Gown Shop 200 Broadway CLEAN MOUTHS WILL HELP TO STOP THE FLU Ur.B.K.Wristat Keep your teeth and mouth in per fect condition and help to combat the epidemic. Decayed teeth and diseased gums harbor the germs. I will give you the best dental skill at the most reasonable prices. Falnlem Kxtractlon of Tret SO Tears Active Practice. Dr.B.E. WRIGHT North went Corner of Sixth and Waahlnarton, Raleigh Bide l'hone Main 2119. Office Itourst 8 A. M. t P. M. Consultation Free. Open Evenings, Sundays 10 to 12 A. M. Style Tovr William and Mary HK KY RfpreacBUtlTri Kdwards, when he announced that there were only four quarantined cases of Influenza In the city at the present Sunday Dinner at he Hazelwood To serve the best at the lowest possible prices is the Hazelwood policy. If you will dine with us today, you will see how well that policy is car ried out. Here is our special dinner at i Choice of Soinis. Baked Salmon or Stewed Chicken With Noodles. Green Peas. Asoaragirs. Bread and Butter. Pie, PuddinK or Ice Cream. Coffee. Tea. Milk. IL-L Discontinuing Hanan Shoes Every Pair of Mens or Women's Ilanan Shoes on Sale at a Reduced Price! PORTLAND'S GREATEST SHOE CLEARANCE! 129 Tenth Street, Bet. Washington and Alder S. & II. Trading Stamps Hear the Cheney Play the "Garahaldi Hymn" The National Anthem of Italy "The National Anthem of Italy glorifies the achievements of Guiseppe Garahaldi 18C7S2) the great Italian general ahd patriot who fought to bring about the unity of Italy. It is the very spirit of Italy let to music The Garahaldi Hymn. "Inno de Guerra dei C-aeciatori," is one of the most inspiring of all the national anthems. YOUR pulse beats quieter when the Cheney plays Italy's National Anthem. This great battle song nerved the hard-pressed soldiers of Italy to ght with incredible valor and snatch victory from defeat at the very crisis of the world-war. The Cheney plays all makes of disc records with absolute fidelity to the original voice or instrument. Its wonderful performance is due to entirely new sound-reproducing inventions, covered by basic patents. It breathes the breath of life into each record played. A variety of superb period models. Cheney talking Machine Company CHICAGO Represented by G. F. Johnson Piano llllt!!!!1 ilililllilllllilllilU time and 'that in all probability the tiuarantine on these cases would be lifted in a few drivi. 60c An l:cellen Dlnrr Aim Served at !.. 127 Broadway. Sxs ashlnston St. CorqNA The Personal Writing Machine. Fold It Ip. Take It With Ton. Typewrite Anywhere. KACLISIVK DISTKIDITORS E.W. PEASE CO. 110 Sixth St. vr of asS. Cr Jilt. ; i C(L 147-f tn M&h M. lie! Aider and Morrlnoti Salosmanaper of Covey Motor Car Company loaves organization Watch for announcement of new connections LOUIS VON KLEIN" J Comhs " F.LMK KKHi;VSt In IIIS l"IHSIV!V 1 1-- r iii i on r U i " r r Piano Tuning We Have Kxprt Workm"n. Thone t" Your Orders. t;. f. joiiso pmxo ro. 11 Sixth St. Vtaln rtinn. ii oi KTitoLis ni:t oKD. Phone your want ads to The Oragro nian. Main 7070. A 5U?3. niininnnnnnninK tinriiiMMiiJiifiriTii'rfii .1 : B&Mj f 5 I 1 A fThe Light Western Stars" : ZANE GREY A) mi 0