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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 1919)
MAYOR DARES MYERS TO DEIMY ACCUSATIONS Postmaster Declared Guilty of Unfairness to Soldiers. SHOWDOWN IS DEMANDED Cily Executive Charccs Postal Offi cial With Coercing Clerk Sign Ridiculous Affidavit. to AFFIDAVITS VERIFIED BY FORMKR STATEMENTS OF POSTMASTER. Postmaster Myers' attitude to ward postal employes returning from military service was ex pressed to John V. Kelly, a re porter of The Oregonian, on or about May 19, 1919, in language substantially as follows: "They are not entitled to special consid eration. They were well cared for. They made no sacrifice. They didn't volunteer and they didn't go until they were taken out by the draft. They ought to be glad they're alive." Efforts of Postmaster Myers to evade charges made by postal employes who have returned from military service of discrimination practiced against ex soldiers, by issuance of a - statement branding Mayor Baker "a four-flusher," was followed yesterday by a red-hot statement issued by Mayor Baker which demands a show-down. The seething controversy which has arisen between Postmaster Myers and Mayor Baker is the result of the filing of affidavits with the mayor on Friday by ex-service men employed as clerks in the Portland postofTice charging that Postmaster Myers had failed to return them to day jobs, which either they held prior to entering military service or would have been entitled to under the rule of seniority which they con tend was in vogue in the postoffice at the time of their enlistment. Affidavit Is (Uven. Attached to the statement issued by Postmaster Myers was an affidavit, signed by Carl Proppe, one of the postal clerks who on Friday signed an affi davit before Mayor Baker making charges against the mayor. Among these charges included an alleged state ment made by Postmaster -Myers to Proppe to the effect that Proppe should be glad that he was aMve and that hia ability as a postal Clerk has been spoiled by eating too many chocolates in France. The second affidavit signed by I'roppe was said by Postmaster Myers to have been given voluntarily before three witnesses. This affidavit is as follows: State of Oregon. County of Multnomah, ss. T, Curl Proppe, a clerk in the Portland postoffice. binK first duly sworn, depose and bay that before I was drafted into the army I hud night work in the Portland post office, ami was drawinK a. salary of $U00 per annum. When I returned from military service 1 was reinstated at a salary of $1400 per annum and was promoted again to 91500 -per annum on .luly 1. 1!!!. I Mill have the same nicht shift that I had before I entered military service: and I feel that I should be Siveti a day job and a Kirl put on nisht work. Although I am a single man, ' years old and in robust health. 1 believe that 1 should be piven day work and a young woman put on my nisht job. A distributor has to stand up most of the time, but 1 believe that the Firla should do this and let us men have the day jobs on the directory at which we can bi t (low n. (Signed! CARt, PROPPE. Subscribed and sworn to before me this lt day of August. 1010. (Signed) ROBERT I,. RUSSELL, Notary Public for Oregon. My commission expires May 5, 1113. Mayor Believes .Myers ' Guilty. "The very statement Mr. Myers has issued to the, press." Mayor Baker com mented on this affidavit, "indicates his attitude toward soldiers and gives me firmer reason than ever before to be lieve the charsos as contained in the affidavits. I refer to the affidavit he has made young Proppe sign. A read ing of that affidavit shows that Mr. .Myers simply backed this young man up against a wall and forced him to sign an affidavit which is absolutely ridiculous. "The duress under which this was signed is apparent. An official who would do a thing like that would do most anything. It is nothing short of criminal, particularly when you see the wonderful war record of that particu lar clear-eyed young men. What fine hypocrites it makes of us who stayed at home and enjoyed peace while these men went through war with our prom ise of, fair treatment ringing in their ears. Vhe affidavits made in my office were troluntary, while that at the post office was made under coercion. It's time the public demanded a shown down on such performances.1' Myers Attempts Defense. The following is the statement issued by Postmaster Myers: "W ith. reference to the charge made to Mayor Baker by four postoffice clerks who have returned from military loav and who allege that discrimina tion has been used in not giving them day wark instead of night work, will late mat there is not one word, either in the postal laws and regulations, or in the postal code, or in the letter files from the department, in which it is stated that seniority in service should govern as to night or day shifts. The postal laws and regulations explicitly state that all employes are under the postmaster's supervision, that he and he only is held responsible for the ef ficiency of his office, and that he should assign the employes in his office where, in his judgment, they can do the most efficient and satisfactory work. "The facts are that I was the first postmaster in the United States, in a large office, to recognize seniority in service as a working rule which would be adhered to as closely as possible without impairing the efficiency of the institution, transacting a very large business, and the postmaster is charged with s heavy responsibility in giving service to the public, and it is obviously impossible to 6ive all employes day work. M!it Work for Women Opposed. "When the United States entered the war the Portland postoffice had only 11 female clerks, while it now has over 100, all of whom are unmarried women and most of whom are young ladies. It is believed contrary to the public welfare for these young; women, to work until 1 o'clock in the morning and then have to wait alone on street corners for street cars, and possibly walk several blocks after they leave the car to their homes. "Bven during the most critical period of the war England and France both found that the Light work for women s against the public welfare and were taking steps to have as few wom en work nights as possible. "The only relief that could be given the complainants at this time would be to put young women on the night work. This in most cases would be taking: em ployes from work with which they are familiar and giving them night distri bution of mail, which requires consid erable time to learn. The complainants, if given day work at this time, would be assigned to work also are unfamiliar. "Chocolate" Statement Denied. Three of the complainants, George Schiewe, Richard Manning- and Martin J. Rooney. stated in the presence of three witnesses that they did not tell Mayor Baker that I had ever said any thing which in any way would reflect on the returned soldiers. Carl Proppe is the clerk who seems to have the worst grievance, and is the one who chartres rae with having- stated that he had been fed too many milk chocolates while in France. This statement, of course, is ridiculous and was never thought of or started by me in any shape or form. Carl Proppe's position is set forth in the attached affidavit, to which he held up his right hand ana swore Deiore a notary public and in the presence of three other wit nesses. JVO dOUOt OUT Buhlirifv seelrlno- four-flushing mayor heartily concurs in Mr. Proppe's position, but I am loath to Deneve that the majority of the people or this city will sustain it. War Record Cited. "While Mayor Baker was out making hot-air speeches, to the disgust of many people, the Portland postoffice was vig orously prosecuting the war in every possible way its Influence could be ex erted. Although permitted to do so under the law. not a single exemption was filed for any employe of this office, but our boys were urged to join the colors, and the service flag of the Port land postoffice contains 83 stars, which represents more than-one out of five of all regular employes at the time Amer ica entered the war. Twenty-five of these boys have not yet returned from military service, but their positions, wtih increase in salary, awaits them. "While in one sense the war is over, the nation is passing through a serious time of reconstruction, and it is abso lutely improper and unpatriotic for anyone to stir up industrial or social unrest. Our weak-minded and talka tive mayor should not 'rock the boat' i by rushing into print on a matter of mis Kind without first ascertaining from the one charged with the respon sibility of the office the true facts, which have been outlined above. "F. S. MYERS." Mayor Says Myers Kvaslve. Mayor Baker's reply reads as fol lows: "Postmaster Myers does not answer the charg.es gainst himself or better his position by slinging mud at me. Any shortcomings he may think I have are not the issue. The issue is that of unfair, discourteous and uncalled-for actions and attitude on his part toward men who went through the fire of France. . "I have presented certain informa tion to the officials at Washington re garding Mr. Myers- actions and atti tude. The information is contained in affidavits sworn to by ex-service men now in the local postal service, which affidavits are in my possession as mayor and as chairman of the state committee for soldier welfare. Affidavits Voluntarily Made. "I will say that m v investigation of the charges started when a delegation of returned service men now in the postoffice came to my office and com plained of unfair treatment accorded them-by Postmaster Myers. I warned tnese boys that they had a peculiar man to deal with and that if thev started a fight it might cost them their positions. But they wanted to through and, accordingly, they volun tarily made up their affidavits. As far as these boys are concerned thev are all typical, clear-eved Amrin. of the a No. 1 sort, and I would take their word without oath in preference to the dying sworn statement of Post master Myers. "To get at the issue, let Postmaster Myers deny that a seniority rule ex isted in the postoffice when thG left for service in France. Let him deny that Portland stood with hr i one hand and the flag in the other and oaue inese ooys farewell with the promise that when thev came hack if they ever did the cream of the land was theirs. Let him Hen-v that ...v..... these men returned and asked for their just dues in accordance with this seniority rule, they were refused. Let mm deny that he told one of his re turned soldier boys who had been through the fury of a vear ago In r ranee that he ought to he riH . alive. Myers Gets Srlrrina- Challenge. "Let him denv that n i -. i he backed a soldier hnv ipiinn . ,i"i and required him to sign a ridiculous affidavit. Let him deny that soldiers who left his service failed to ihi. Just reward upon their return. Let Mr. wyers direct his fury toward an ex planation of these sworn chare, v,.. cause they and not my personality or ancestors, etc., are the issue. As far as I am concerned T win ... to Mr. Myers that when I stood with the throngs a year or so ago and told these boys that the best awaiteH hm on their return. I meant it. It was not Idle hypocrisy and I have no time for any person who has any other attitude for it is un-American. And I dnn'i care a rap what the circumstances or me excuse in tne case may be. If a man when he returns from war does not get in full what he would have got had he remained at home. I stand ready to fight to get him his deserts s.h t don't care who it hits. There Isn't man I would not go to the bat with on that issue." SMALL ROAD BIDS OPPOSED Pierce County Considers One Con- tract for $2,500,000 Job. TACOMA. Wash., Aug. 2. (Special.) The work of constructing all the high ways to be built under the plans of the $2, 500. 000 bond issue recently approved by Pierce county voters may be award ed to one contractor. The county com missioners are considering thin nl after having been advised in an opin ion rrom tne prosecuting attorney that such a step would be legal. The difficulty of obtaining bids on small contracts has caused some worry, as all of the bids were high. The con tractors advised the commissioners that heavy overhead expense in moving pav ing plants from one place to another necessitates high bids on small jobs. Phone your want ads to The Orego- nian. Phone Main 7070. A 6095. The first aerial YOUR TO Ex-Army Aviators Operating Passenger Planes All Day AT COLUMBIA BEACH of course Trips to nearby points or course at suggestion of the passenger r THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX, PORTLAND, AUGUST 3. 1919. 31 T OF ROAD WORK ALSO PROBLEM Figures on Construction Show Pronounced Increase. ALL ESTIMATES ADVANCED GoTenynent, State and Counties Are Affected by General Lift Fur ther Boost Possible. High cost of living is reflected in the cost of read construction. In 1917 the estimated cost of the Flora-Enterprise project in Wallowa county was 39,6S. The estimate for the same work this year is 173,500. The cost of the Ochoco canyon project in Crook county was estimated at $52,500, and the current estimate is $91,145. The figures are those of the forestry department sent to the state highway commission. When the highway commission meets in Portland next Tuesday it will open bids on 98.S miles of grading and mac- adam and 40.8 miles of paving, a total of 139.3 miles of road work. The com mission is pursuing- a plan of getting under contract a large number of road jobs, so that contractors will know Just what they will have to meet, and act accordingly. Costs may go still higher next year, and this possibly is considered in placing contracts now. Government Alse Affecrted. The government is confronted by ad vanced costs in projects it has under way. The Flora-Enterprise road is a co-operative project. The estimate made two years ago. was Wallowa county. $5000; state, $12,324: govern ment, $12,324: total, $29,648. The pres ent estimate is: Wallowa county, $12, 400; state, $30,550; government, $30, 550; total, $73,500. This increase ne cessitates the following additional funds: Wallowa county. $7400; state, $18,225; government, $18,225. This project was) approved by the commission in September. 1917. Con struction by day labor was begun by the bureau of public roads last season, but only a small amount of work was done. The agreement was based on' pre-war estimates, when earth exca vation cost 37 cents, rock $1 and clear ing and grubbing $70 an acre. Present excavation prices on the work are easily double the old figures and clear ing and grubbing prices are four or five times greater, the government of ficials report to the commission. All Unit Costs Higher. In order to cut down expense the project was inspected by several com petent men and new locations selected wherever economy could be effected without detriment to final results. This month the bureau of public roads 'reported the unit costs as common ex cavation, 83 cents per cubic yard; solid rock, $1.80; clearing and grubbing $165 an acre. On the Ochoco canyon section the government has encountered decided increases in costs. Due to the increased cost of labor and materials, the outlay for this project ow is estimated at $91,145 for grading, as against the first estimate of $52,500. The work is being done by day labor under the direction of the bureau of public roads. The ex cavation costs approximately 77 cents a cubic yard at present, for common work and $1.67 for rock. In order to complete the work it will be necessary to provide the difference between the agreed and the present estimate, or about $38,645. Crook's Contribution Cut. It has been thought best to limit Crook county's additional contribution to 25 per cent over the estimated cost, as the county is short of funds and has contributed to the project a larger sum than is ordinarily the case where coun ties co-operate. The county's first share waa $17,500, and 25 per cent increase makes its total contribution $21,875. The increase over the original contri bution of the state and government is $17,135. All supplies for the Mitchell region will go over this Ochoco canyon road, and with a mail contract granted over it, the road is of much greater impor tance now than when the agreement for co-operation was signed. During the progress of the work more adobe eoil has been encountered than was anticipated. Certain portions along the new location will be im passable during the winter unless some graveling is done in the worst places. The bureau of public roads has esti mated that between $9000 and $10,000 is needed to provide a single track graveling over the worst spots. It is desired that this cost be divided be tween the state and government. Bids to Be Reeefved. At Tuesday's meeting of the commis sion the longest road job on which bids will be received is from Bend north to the Jefferson county line, a distance of 23.9 miles, which is to be graded. Thirty-four miles of grading and macadam will be considered for the Pacific high way in Douglas county, these being the Yoncalla section, 8.5 miles; Roseburg Wilbur section, 6.3 miles; Canyonville Myrtle creek section, 9.8 miles, and Canyon ville-Galesville section. 11.1. Of particular interest to Clatsop county people will be the bidding on 14.8 miles of paving between Astoria and Seaside. The bulkheads for the approach at Youngs bay have been made and the port of Astoria dredge will make the fill at cost. A section of the Columbia highway in the tpwn of Rainier also has been advertised for Tuesday. State Plants Available. Macadamizing 4.5 miles in Josephine county, from State Road pass to Wolf taxi in Portland CHANCE FLY! First, nmd, dost, etc, - Toar car by washing-wilh t-.' water in tfaedy, fg" &:V ; IFi! If you Lave used oSs. or wax. S " C : f f "NB ' I glu ti ;!'::!'!''!' Pour &lort 4 ounces of O-Cedar in a. pan and edd a quart I Til u.im ,i: 'Jf. ox -warm water. S.1 cloth in thiev-and go raer tne body of the car. Do not attffrrnpt to cleaxn too rrrnch at a time take oneside of the body or a fender first. Follow by robbing with a dry cloth. Bat Eaie rabbing is required to produce a : hardy-dry, Innlisrg lustre. O-Ccdar PoKshis Sold by All gives a hard dry-lasting lustre that does not collect dust. Easy and simple to use. No hard rubbing necessary. lharmell creek, is up for bidding; also the three- mile section between Walker and Cot- I lage drove and the 1.4-mile from Di vide to the Douglas county line in Lan county. On the west side Pacific high way bids are called on eight miles of paving from Corvallis south. The state has one railroad asphalt plant or a concrete paving plant available for this work. From Yamhill to Gaston, on the Forest Grovc-McMinnville highway, the commission will open bids for 7.9 miles of grading and macadam. A 4.2-mile paving Job will be opened for the sec lion between Salem and Brooks, and two miles of paving have been adver tised from Tho Dalles to Three-Mlle. on the Columbia river highway. The MiLton-Athena section of the Oregd"n Washington highway, in Umatilla.'ia to have a 11.8-mile stretch of paving, and there will be bids opened for 3.9 miles in Union county between Lone Pine and Hot Lake, on the old Oregon trail. In Baker, 9.7 miles of grading and ma cadam has been advertised for the old Oregon trail. For the John Day high way the commission asks for bids for "When It's Music or Records, Go Where the Crowds Go." rPTTT T lVTTT,,the world's song sensation! Better than 1 A-'-l-'-L'-LVX.L- "Smiles." Remick's greatest song hit. Get a copy now while it is raging 30 Other Popular Song Hits "Memory Land" 15c "Come to Roseland" Mur- tagh's popular song 15c "After All" 15c "Then I'm Not Missing You". .15c "Out of the East" 15c "Some Sunny Day" 15c "You're Still An Old Sweet Heart of Mine" 15c Portland's Favorite Complete Stock of Columbia Grafonolas and Records ."What You Want When You Want It" No. 2724 At Dawning and the Rosary, vocal $1.00 No. 6105 King Cotton and High School Cadets, Sousa marches, by Prince's Band $1.25 No. 2730 Chong and Waiting Fox Trot, saxaphone sextette . 85c No. 2725 Longing and Lullaby Blues, Sterling vocal trio 85c No. 2701 I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles and Beautiful Ohio, vocal 85c No. 2717 Alabama Lullaby and Dreams, vocal 85c The Entire Catalogue of Columbia Records to Select From Here Easy Terms on Columbia Grafonolas ! Headquarters for Q. R. S. Player-Piano Rolls Open Evenings j2inief onj D Gift fSficfi 324 Washington St., Between Sixth and Broadway. Main 2269. Saturate a dean jft; mmSSi : c Dealers toeniicai Conrparry, grading 9.5 miles on the Butte creek section. Hoff's Signature Valuable. SALEM, Or.,- Aug. 2. (Special.) State Treasurer O. P. Hoff this morn ing entered upon the task of signing $800,000 worth of road bonds issued re cently under the Bean-Barrett act. The bonds will have to be signed by the governor before becoming negotiable. Washington Reports Hog Cholera. SPOKANE, Wash.. Aug. 2. Report of the prevalence of hog cholera near Fairfield, in this county, have been re ceived by J. E. Shinn, county agri culturist here. One man In that vicin ity lost his entire herd of 20 head, it was reported. Lewiston Wheat Yield Good. LEWISTON, Idaho, Aug. 2. (Spe cial.) The farmers on Webb Ridge, about 15 miles southeast of Lewiston, "Blowing Bubbles" 30c "Madelon" 30c "Baby," new hit 35c "111 Say She Does" .-. 35c "Tell Me Why" 30c "Souvenir," piano solo 30c "Sahara" 35c "Monte Cristo Jr." 35c "Blue Bird" 30c Phonograph Shop for your Automobile Chicago Toronto London are rejoicing over an unusually good harvest of fall wheat. Early predic tions were discouraging. Spring grain will average a half crop in this dis THE MODERN PROPHET And Ancient Prophecy By Dr. JAMES K. TALMAGE Of the Council of the Twelve. Chnrrh of Jeans Christ of Latter-day Sainlsi Salt Lakft City, I tan. Note For free copies of other articles of hls series, send request to the author. We live in a time of prophecy and promise. The prophet of God, be it re membered, is a fulfiller of predictions an wen as a preaicter. inspired proph ecies throughout the ages past, so far as they relate to pre-millennial devel opments of Divine purpose, point to this current time as the period of consum mation. In the literal sense we live in the last days not merely the latest that have been, but the last that are to be prior to the second coming of our Lord the Christ who Is soon to return to earth, on which He lived, labored, suf fered, died and was resurrected. As in olden days, so now, God has prophets among men, who are author ized and directed to declare His will and to summon mankind to hear and heed. Joseph Smith was the first prophet of this dispensation. He spoke and wrought in a Name and by a Power greater than his own. That he was condemned and flouted through Igno rance and prejudice, that his message to the world has been openly denounced and derided, that he suffered persecu tion eliminating in martyrdom, con stitute, by analogy, evidence of his gen uineness, for such were the experiences of the prophets of old, and even of the Savior Himself, who, of all prophets, seers and revelators. was the greatest. As a fulfiller of ancient nraphecy, as a chosen and authorized agent through whom Divine predictions have become realities. Joseph Smith Is the most prominent figure In history since the close of our Lord's earthly ministry. I pray you consider dispassionately the few facts cited below, which are illus trative of many. 1. The restoration of the Gospel by angelic embassage is specified as a fea ture of the last days. Read Rev. 14:6-7. In the year 1827, a heavenly personage disclosed to Joseph Smith the deposi tory of a record containing, as the visitant averred and as subsequent translation proved. tke fatness of the everlasting Gospel ... as delivered by the Savior to the ancient Inhabi tants of whom the record speaks. Furthermore, in 1829, John the Baptist conferred upon the latter-day prophet, by the laying on of hands, the author ity of the Aaronlc Priesthood; and later the Holy Apostleship was bestowed un der the hands of Peter, James and John, the presiding Apostles In the Primitive Church. Under the Divine commission thus Imposed, the restored Gospel has been preached throughout the greater part of the world. 2. Through the prophet Malachl the Lord promised to send Elijah with spe cial appointment. Read Malachl 4. par ticularly verses. 5 andii. la 1S3S Elijah 1 Paris trict. Forty-two bushels an acre were harvested from one ranch, and some other fields have reached 50. The aver age will be at least 35 bushels. appeared to Joseph Smith, and commit- ' ted unto him the keys of authority for administering the ordinances of salva tion in behalf of the dead, whereby the living may officiate in the stead of their departed progenitors. 3. The'reassembling of the tribes of Israel after their dispersion of centu ries has been predicted by many proph ets. Joseph Smith solemnly avers that ' he was visited by Moses, the deliverer of Israel, who commissioned him for the work "of the aathrrlna of Israel from the four parts of the earth," etc As ti the earnestness with which this labor has been begun, and the progress al ready made therein, consider the hun dreds of thousands belonging to the ' families of Israel already gathered in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, about the House of the Lord, there es tablished. Read Micah 4:1-2. 4. Isaiah foretold the bringing forth of a record, which should be as the voice of the dead, the history of a na tion broug-ht low into the dust. Read Isa. 29:4. The miraculous revealment of the Book of Mormon, and its publica tion in modern tongues through Joseph Smith's agency, furnish a literal and circumstantial fulfilment. Thus also has been realized the prophecy given through Ezekiel. that the stick or rec ord of Judah, which is the Holy Bible, should become one with that of Joseph. ' which is the Book of Mormon. Read Ezekiel 37:16-19. 6. The last dispensation was long ago proclaimed as a period of restoration and restitution. Read Acts 3:19-21 and Eph. 1:9-10. Joseph Smith testified that through the ministrations of heavenly beings he was directed to open up this, the dispensation of fulness, restoration and restitution: and that to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "is the power of this Priesthood gives, for the last days nnd for the last time. In the which Is the dispensation of the fulness of times. (Doctrine & Cove nants 112:30). Thus was Joseph Smith empowered for the work pertaining to the final restoration of the Gospel a prophet fulfilling prophecy. There Is but one answer adequate, consistent and logical, as to the status , of this man, and as to the eternal eig nlficance of the work he wrought; Joseph Smith was truly n Prophet ow ' the Most Hlah (Md. For the Book of Mormon, etc., apnl. to Northwestern Pastes VI , HQ ' East Madison St.. Fort, an-:. Cn. For book of 30 pp., eontslninsT com plete series of these articles, aumlirr- lug? 104. entitled "The Vitality of Mar. monism. apply to pnhllshersi The t.or ham Press, Boston, 31 ass.
