PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Following I ft summary of the main points of
President Taf t'a mwwatre to the. Sixty-first con
.irress, which convened Tuesday. Dee, 7, 1909.
To the SenaU and the House ot Repre
sentatives The relations of the United
State with all foreign governments have con
tinued upon the normal bails of amity ana
tood understanding and are very generally
satisfactory. ,
Pursuant to the provisions of the general
treaty of arbitration concluded between the
United Statca and Great Britain. April 4.
1008. a special agreement was entered Into be.
tween the two countries on January It, 1009.
for the submission of questions relating to tho
fisheries on the North Atlantic Coast to a trl
bunal to be formed from, members of the
permanent court of arbitration at The HBU.
In accordance with the provision ot the
special agreement, the Printed case of each
government waa on October 4 lttf "ml,u,et?
the other and to the arbitral tribunal at The
Hague, and the counter case of the United
.State Is now In course of preparation.
Negotiations Tor an International conference
to consider and reach.an arrangement provid
ing for the preservation and protection of the
tur seals In the North Pacific are In profrem
with the governmenU of Great Britain. Japan
?nd Russia. The attitude of the KOvefnmenU
Interested leada me to hope for a satlsfactop
iettlement of this question as the ultimate
outcome of the negotiation. . .
The question arising out of the Belgian an
nexation of the independent stateof the Con
go, which has so long and earnestly preoc
cupied the attention of this Government and
enlisted tho sympathy of our best cltUens. Is
Mill open, but In a more hopeful stage. This
Government was among the foremost In tno
great work of uplifting the unclvHUed re
gions of Africa and urging the extension of
the benefit of civilization, education and
fruitful, open commerce, to that vast domain,
and U a party to treaty engagements of all
the Interested powers, designed to carry out
that great duty to humanity. .
A convention between the United States and
Germany, under which th fonworklng pro
visions of the German patent law are made
Inapplicable to the patents of American cltl
ieni. waa concluded on February 23, 1000. and
Is now In force. Negotiations for similar con
vention looking to the placing of American
inventor on the same footing as nationals
have recently been Initiated with other Euro
wan governmenU whose law require the local
working of foreign patents.
Under an appropriation made at the last
session ot Congress, a commission waa aent
on American cruisers to Monrovia to nveetl
rnA tho interests of the United btaiea ana
uV rltlxens InLiberia. Upon lta arrival at
Morivla? the cTramllon was enthuslastcal
ly received, and during Its stay In Liberia was
even-where met with the heartieM expression
if pood will for American Government and
Siopft. and the hope was repeatedly Prd
Srall.- tb.t this Government m ght e
measure irom
financial embarrassment.
The Uberlan government "ported ew fa-
cllltr to the commuraiuu ii --------
tne state of affairs. The commission also
inrt conferences with representative citizens.
ltereMforeflners and the represenUtive of
foreign govern inenia m ,
rnadeto6 various parts, of the repubHc and to
where the commtelon was received and con
ferred with the Governor. .,.. nf
It will be rememoerea ui t
the United StaUs In the Republic of Liberia
jtnrmei from tne nunancm im.
option of the republic by the colonization of
American citizens of the African race. In an
ilr treaty with Liberia, there Is a provt
Ifon under which the United State may be
caHed SSon for advlco or sUnce. Pursuant
ffthl. Provision and in the splr t o the moral
SLY republic" VrtVearSkedThhT Government
tolen"PasIstance In the solution of "rtalnf
their national problem, and hence the com
mission was sent. . . .a
'The N'orwegljmvernment. by a note , d-
Sent' of Sutt.nVyed an"lnvltatlon to the
vernmet o f the United State, "take part
In a conrerence wnitu, j ,,
be held in February or March. 1010, for he
purpose ior cevimng meu i
conditions In the Spltzbergen Island.
Thl? invitation wasconveyed under be res-
.fSTot SandVun fc- J-ta.
to no particular suxic, - ,-..
to the citizen and subject ot all states.
should not De raieeu. .,,,. . .mrkrv
HI. Majesty Mehjned V. Sultan of Turkey.
recently sent, to mm --,,,
basiy to announce his access on. The quick
?ament an'dUwUh ' pfgrei"pol.cles of 're
form d PUbUc Improvement. Is one of the
important puwimmu" -- ------t.- . inrt
tutlonal government seem ateo to have made
These events have turned the eyes of the
world upon the near East In that quarter
the prestige oi me
widely through the peaceful Influence of
American schools, unlve111,?'0.?;
.arlea There Is every reason why we should
tbtaln a greater shire of the commerce of
the neaF East, Mnce the conditions are more
.favorable now man rrcr wivtt,
To?ay more than ever before American cap-
and American product i are more and more
generally eeeKin iuicis" - - .
Sequence- there are American citizens and
srbbverrtment. '""TheaV mo-vements
Vt "mel of capital and of commodit y
peoples ana govcrjimcni
so form bond of peace and mutual dependency,
a they must also naturally sometimes make
passing points of friction.
The resultant situation inevitably Imposes
upon this Government vastly Increased re
sponsibilities. This Administration, through
. , . r cta.A arA fnrflEm service.
U lending all proper support to legitimate and
Cenenciai American ciiwi'wcw - -
tries, the degree of such support being meas
ured by the National .advantages to be ex
pected. A citizen himself cannot by con
tract or otherwise divest himself of the right
nor can this Government escape the obliga
tion of his protection In hi personal and
t i a Viaba a rs iinltmtlV 111
fringed In a foreign country. To avoid cease
less vexation u is pivvi mai . t"","
whether American enterprise should be en
couraged or supported in a particular coun-
. .1.- Vi -.ill , rr 4 ra full VC<rnt.
not only to tho National, a opposed to the
individual Denenis to attruc, m v
whether or not the government of the coun-
(tn i i odmlnlttrn t Inn nnn In
Its diplomacy faithful to the principle of
moaeration 01 equity uu "v, i ' '
alone depend International credit in diplomacy
as well as In finance.
The Pan-American policy of this Govern
ment has long been fixed In It principle and
remains unchanged. With the changed cir
cumstances of the United States and of the
republics to the south of us, most of which
have great natural resources, stable govern
ment and progressive Ideals, the apprehens.on
of which gave rise to the Monroe Poctrlne.
may be mid to have nearly disappeared and
neither the doctrine as it exist nor any other
doctrine of American policy should be permit
ted to operate for the perpetuation of irre
sponsible government, the escape of Just ob
ligations or the Insidious allegation of domi
nating ambitions on the part of the United
states, ueziaes me iuuuttun:iin -our
Pan-American policy, there have grown
' i a a t ,1,. ..!.. awA nnA a flAlir-
lshlng commerce. All these bonds will be
greatly strengthened as time goea on ano w
creasea taciiiiies, suun u, me Kicm pa
soori to be established In Latin-America, sup
ply the means for building up the colossal
Intercontinental commerce of the future.
My meeting with President Diaz and the
greeting exchanged on both American and
Mexican pun, a iivyc, iw .6nti.
and cordial relations which will bind together
ately to tho south, between which there Is so
vast network of material Interest.
cases which for so long vexed our relations
with Venezuela have been settled within the
past few months and that under the enlight
ened regime now directing the government of
Venezuela, provision has been made for arbi
tration oi tne remaining; ra ucwm
Hague tribunal.
On July 80, 1000, the government of Pan
ama agreed after considerable negotiation to
Indemnify the relatives of the American of
ficers and sailors who were brutally treated,
one of them having been killed by the Pan
ama police this year.
The sincere desire of the Panama govern
ment to do away with a situation where such
an accident could occur Is manifest In the
recent request, In compliance with which this
Government has lent the services of an offi
cer of the Army to be employed by the gov
ernment of Panama as Instructor of police.
The sanitary Improvement and public works
undertaken In Cuba prior to the present ad
ministration of that government. In the sue
e4,of which the United States Is Interested
under the treaty, are reported to be mak
ing good progress and, since the Congress
provided for the continuance of the reciprocal
commercial arrangement between Cuba and
the United States, assurance ha been received
that no negotiations Injuriously affecting the
situation will be undertaken without consul
tation. Many years ago diplomatic Intervention be
came necessary for the protection of the
American claim of Alsop & Co. against the
government of Chile, The government Jf
Chile has frequently Admitted obligation In
the case and had promised thl Government to I
settle It. There had been two abortive at
tempt, to do so tnrougu arbitration, which
tailed through lack of jurisdiction. Now, hap
pily., ts the result ot the recent diplomatic
negotiations, the government of the United
ci. in. anA rhii a-tuAtnl hv th sincere de
sire to free from any strain those cordial and
friendly relations upon which both set such
store, nave agreea oy a proiww w uuiii mo
controversy to definitive settlement by His
Brltannlo Majesty Edward VII.
In tho Far East thl Government pre
serves unchanged its policy of supporting
the principle ot equality of opportunity
and scrupulous respect for the Integrity of
the Chinese empire, to which policy are
pledged the Interested powers ot both East
and Weat. By the treaty of 1003 China
has undertaken tne oDontion oi mo ukiu,
with ci mndar&ta and nrODOrtlonate raising
of the customs tariff, along with currency
reforms. These reforms being of manifest
advantage to foreign commerce, a well a
to the Interests of China, this Government
Is endeavoring to facilitate these measure
and the needful acquiescence ot the treaty
power. .
When it appearea tnai cmna- uain reve
nues were to be nypotnecaiea to lurcign
bankers In connection with a great railway
project. It was obvious that the governments
whose bankers hold thl loan would have a
certain direct Interest In the question ot the
carrying out by China of the reforms In
nna.dnn TUfflukA thin t-nllro&d loan reoN-
sented a practical and real application ot
the open-door policy, tnrougn co-opcrauuu
with China by Interested power, as well as
because of Its relations to the reform re
ferred to above, the Administration deemed
American participation to oe oi great -iinii
intr-t Unnnllv. when It was a a
matter of broad policy urged that thl op
portunity should not be lost, the indispen
sable Instrumentality presented Itself when
a group ot American bankers of Interna
tional reputation and great resources agreed
at once to share In tho loan upon precisely
such terms as this Government snouia ap
prove. The chief ot those terms was that
Amarlrnn rnllwAV material should be upon
an exact equality with that of the otherJ
nntinnH loininK in tno ivbii u tiiu u.nv.u
ot orders tor tho whole railway system.
After montns or negotiation, me cquai
participation of America seems at last as
sured. It Is gratifying that America will
thus take Its share In this extension of
these great highways of trade and to be
liovx thnt such activities will Elvo a real
Impetus to our commerce, and will prove a
practical coronary to our nistonc puuujr iu
tne uar cast. .
Th TmDerlal Chinese covernment. In pur
suance of its decision to devote funds from
the portion oi tne indemnity remitted to
thnm to sendlnir students to this country.
has already completed arrangements for
carrying out tnis purpose, ana a consider
able body ot students have arrived to take
up tneir worK in our icuuon sou uuivw
ties. No one can doubt the happy effect
the association formed by these representa
tive young men will nave wnen tney return
in tnVn un their work In the oroirresstve
development ot their country. The results
of the opium conierence neia at onangnni
lnat Rnrlnr. at the Invitation of the United
States, have been laid before the Govern
ment. .
The report snows tnat unina is maxing
remarkable progress and admirable efforts
tnWaril the eradication of the opium evil.
and that the governments concerned have
not allowed tneir commercial interests to
interfere with a helpful co-operation In this
reform. Collateral Investigations ot the
opium question In this country lead tne to
recommend mat tne manuiacture, imo anu
use nf onium and Its derivatives In the
United States be. so far as possible, more
vigorously controlled Dy legislation.
in one of tno uninese-jananese conven
tions of this year there was a provision
irhirh rntiiied considerable nubile aDDrchen-
alon. in that urjon Its face It was believed
In some quarters to seek to establish a
monopoly or mining privileges along tne
Rnnth Manchurian and Antunir-Mukden
railroads, and thus to exclude Americans
from a wide field of enterprise, to take part
In which they were entitled by the treaty
with China. After a thorough examina
tion of the conventions of the several con
textual documents, the Secretary of State
reached the conclusion that no such monop
oly was Intended or accomplished. How
ever. In view of the widespread discussion
of this question, to confirm the view It had
reached, this Government made Inquiry ot
the Imperial Chinese and Japanese govern
ments, and received from each of them as
surance that the provision had no purpose
Inconsistent with the policy of equality ot
opportunity to which the signatories. In
common with the .United States, are
nledeed.
Under a nrovlslon of the act of August
3, 1009. I have appointed three officials to
assist the officers of the Government in
collecting Information necessary to a wlso
administration of the tariff act ot August
5. 1909. As to questions of customs ad
ministration, they are co-operating with the
officials of the Treasury Department and as
to matters of the needs and the exigencies
of our manufacturers and exporters with the
Department of Commerce ana jaoor in its
relation to the domestic aspect of the sub
ject of foreign commerce. In the study of
foreign tariff treatment they will assist the
Bureau of Trade Relation of the Depart
ment of State. It Is thus hoped to co-ordinate
and bring to bear upon this most Im
portant subject all the agencies of the
Government which can contribute anything
to Its efficient handling.
As a consequence of section two of the
tariff act of August 3, 1009. it becomes the
duty of the Secretary of State to conduct
diplomatic business necessary to him In a
position to advise me whether any particu
lar country unduly discriminates against the
United States In the statute referred to. The
great scope and complexity of this work,
as well as the obligation to lend all proper
aid to our expanding commerce. It may ac
complish by the expansion ot the Bureau of
Trade Relations, as set forth In the esti
mates for the Department of State.
I regret to refer to the fact of the dis
covery of extensive frauds in the collection
of the customs revenue at New York City,
In which a number of subordinate employes
In the weighing and other departments were
directly concerned, and In which the bene
ficiaries were the American Sugar Refining
Company and others. The fraud consisted
In the payment of duty on underweights of
sugar. The Government has recovered from
the American Sugar Refining Company all
that It Is known to have been defrauded
of. The sum was received In full of the
amount due, which might have been recov
ered by civil suit against the beneficiaries
of the fraud, but there was an express res
ervation In the contract of settlement by
which the settlement should not Interfere
with or prevent the criminal prosecution
of every one who was found to be subject
to the same.
Criminal prosecutions are now profeedlng
against a number of the Government officers.
The Treasury Deportment nd the Depart
ment of Justice are exerting every effort
to discover all the wrongdoers, Including
the officers and employes of the companies
who may have been privy to the frauds.
It would seem to me that an Investigation
of the frauds by Congress at present, pend
ing the probing of the Treasury Department
and the Department of Justice as proposed,
might, by giving Immunity and otherwise,
prove an embarrassment In securing con
viction of the guilty parties.
Perhaps the most Important question pre
sented to this Administration Is that of
economy of expenditures and sufficiency of
revenue. The deficit ot the last fiscal year
and the certain deficit of the current year
prompted congress to throw a greater re
sponsibility upon the Executive and the
Secretary of the Treasury than had here
tofore been declared by statute. This dec
laration Imnoses upon the Secretary of the
Treasury the duty of assembling all the es
timates ot the executive departments, bu
reaus and offices, of the expenditures, neces
sary In the ensuing fiscal year, and of mak
ing an estimate of the revenues of the
Government for the same period: and If a
probable deficit Is thus shown. It Is made
the duty of the President to recommend
the method by which such deficit can be
met.
The report of the Secretary shows that
tho ordinary expenditures tor the currant
fiscal year ending June 30, 1910, will ex
ceed the estimated receipts by 134,073,020.
If to this deficit Is added the sum to be dis
bursed for the Panama Canal, amounting
to 38,000,0O0, and $1,000,000 to be paid on
the public debt, the deficit of ordinary re
ceipts and expenditures will be Increased
to d total deficit of $73,075,020. This deficit
the Secretary proposes to meet by the pro
ceeds of bonds Issued to pay the cost of
constructing the Panama Canal, I approve
this proposal.
In order to avoid a deficit for the ensuing
fiscal year, I directed the heads ot depart
ments In the preparation of their estimates
to make them as low as possible consistent
with Imperative governmental necessity.
The result ha been, as I am advised by
the Secretary of the Treasury, that the es
timates of the expenses of the Government
for the fiscal year ending June 80, lOllr
that Is. for the next fiscal year are less
by 135,003,000 than the total appropriations
for the current fiscal year, and less by $04,
000,000 than the estimate for that year.
So far a the Secretary of the Treasury Is
Able to form a judgment as to future In
come .and compare It with the expenditure
for the next fiscal year, ending June 80,
1911, Including the payments on account of
the Panana Canal and the public debt,
there will be no deficit In the year ending
June '30, 1011, but a small surplus of
$712,000.
In the present estimates the need of the
departments and of the Government have
been cut to the quick, so to speak, and any
assumption on the part ot Congress, so
often made In time past, that the esti
mates have been prepared with the expecta
tion that thev mav be reduced, will result
In seriously hampering proper admlnlstra-
Most of the great Industrial corporations
and many of tho well-conducted railway
Of this country are coming to the conclu
sion that a system ot ponslon tor old em
plojes, and the substitution tuer;tor ot
younger and mure energetlo servants, pro
motes both economy ana emciency ot au
ministration. I am aware that there Is a strong feel
ing In both houses ot Congress, and also In
the country, against the establishment' ot
civil pensions, and that thl has naturally
crown out of the heavy burden of militant
pensions, which It has always been the pol
icy of our Government to assume; but I am
strongly convinced tnat no otner practical
solution ot the difficulties presented by the
superannuation of civil servant can bo
found than that ot a system ot civil pen
sions. Tho business and expenditures ot the
Government have expanded enormously
since the Spanish War, but a the revenues
have Increased In nearly the samo propor
tion as tho expenditures until recently, the
attention of the public and ot those respon
sible for the Government ha not been fast
ened upon the question ot reducing the cost
of administration. We cannot, In view ot
the advancing prices ot living, hone to save
money by a reduction In the standard ot
salaries paid. Indeed, If any change U
maae in tnat regard, an increase ratner
than a decrease will be necessary: and the
only means of economy will be In reducing
tne numoer oi employes ana in ootaining a
greater average ot efficiency from those re
tained In the service.
Two features of the new tariff act call
for special reference. By virtue of the
clause known as the "maximum and min
imum" clause. It Is the duty of the Execu
tive to consider the laws and practices of
other countries with reference to the Im
portation Into those countries of the prod
ucts and merchandise ot the United States,
and If the Executive finds such laws .ana
practices not to be unduly discriminatory
against the United States, the minimum du
ties provided In the bill are to go Into force.
Unless the President makes such a finding,
,uv uiaAiiiiuiii uu,. luuiiucu in m
hill thnt la. nn lnrr nf m, il srt
valorem overt the minimum duties are to ba
in force.
Fear has been expressed that this power
conferred and duty Imposed on the Execu
tive Is likely to lead to a tariff war. I
beg to express the hope and belief that no
such result need be anticipated. The dis
cretion granted to tne Executive by tne
terms -unauiv Discriminatory in wme. in
order that the maximum dutv shall ha
charged against the Imports from a coun
try, it is necessary mat no shall find on
the part of the country not only discrim
inates In its laws or the practice under
them against the trade of the United States,
but that the discriminations found shall ba
unaue; tnat is, without good anl fair rea
son.
The ceneroslty of Concrfu ha nrnvldad
In the present naval observatory the most
magnificent and expensive astronomical es
tablishment In the world. It Is being used
for certain naval purposes which might
eainy ana adequately De suoservea by a
small division connected with the Nnvv Da,
partment at only a fraction of the cost ot
the present naval observatory. The official
board ot visitors established by Congress
and appointed In 1901 expressed Its conclu
sion that the official head of the observatory
should be an eminent astronomer appointed
by the President by and with tho advice
and consent of the Senate, holding his place
by a tenure at least as permanent as that
of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey
r me neau ot tne ueoiogicai tjurvey ana
not merely by a detail or two or three venr'
duration. I fully concur In this Judgment
The platform of the successful party In
the last election contained the following:
"The Republican party will uphold at oil
times the authority and Integrity of the
courts, state and Federal, and u-lll over In.l.t
that their powers to enforce their process
tnd to protect life, liberty and property
shall be preserved Inviolate. We believe,
however, that the rules Of procedure In the
Federal courts with respect to tho Issuance
of the writ of Injunction should be more
accurately denned hv statute and that nn
Injunction or temporary restraining order
.k mi lil ,.w a .
-wuiu uo iibucu witnout notice, except
where Irreparable Injury would result from
delay, In which case a speedy hearing there
after should be cronted '
I recommend that in compliance with the
promise tnus maae appropriate legislation
should be adopted.
The second sublett unrthv nf m.-Mnn in
the Postofllce Department Is the real neces
sity and entire practicability of establishing
postal saving banks. The successful party
b tun tvcri vicvtiun ueciiirea in xavor or poetai
savings banks, and, although the proposition
finds opponents In manv nam nr h. numm
I am convinced that the people desire such
banks, and am sure that when the banks are
furnished they will be productive of the ut
most good. The postal aivlng bank are not
constituted for the purpose of creating com
petition with other banks. The rate of Inter
est UDOn denoslts to which thev would he tlm.
iieu wouia De so smaii as to prevent their
urawing deposits away irom otner Danks.
Following the course of my distinguished
predecessor. I earnestly recommend in CVin.
gress the consideration and passage ot a ship
Buusiuy diii, looxing to tne esiaonsnment ot
lines between our Atlantic seaboard and the
eastern coast of South America, and as well
of line from the west coast of the United
states to troutit America, unina, japan and
tne rnuippines.
The year 1013 will mark the 60th anni
versary of the issuance of emanelDatlon tiroc
tarnation crantlne freedom to tha necroes. It
seems fitting that this event should be p rop
ery ceicDraiea. Aireaay a movement nas ueen
started by prominent negroes, encouraged by
prominent white people and ,the preen, The
South especially Is manifesting Its Interest In
this movement.
I have thus, In a message compressed a
much as the subjects will permit, referred
to many of the legislative need of the coun
try, with the exception already noted. Speak
ing generally, the country Is In a hish state
of prosperity. There Is every reason to be
lieve tnat we are on tne eve or a suostantiai
business expansion and we have Just garnered
a harvest unexampled In the market value
of our agricultural products.
The high prices Which such products bring
mean great prosperity for the farming com
munity but on the other hand they mean a
very considerable Increased burden upon those
classes in tne community wnore yeany com
pensation does not expand with the Improve
ment iij Dusiness ana tne general prosperity.
Various reason are Elven for the hi Eh prices.
The proportionate Increase In the output of
gold, which today I the chief medium of ex
change, and Is In some respects a measure of
value, furnishes a substantial explanation ot
at least part of the Increase In prices. The
Increase In population and the more expensive
mode ef living or tne people, wnicn nave not
been accompanied by a proportionate Increaso
In acreage production, may furnish a further
reason, ,
It 1 well to note that the Increase In the
cost of living Is not confined to this coun
try, but prevails the world over, and that
tnose wno wouia cnarge increases in prices
to the existing protective tariff must meet
the fact that the rise In price, has taken
place almost wholly In those product of the
factory and farm In resnect to which there
ha been either no Increase In the tariff or
In many instances a very consioeratue re
duction. WlbMAJI U. TA1T1,
The White House, December 7, 1000.
King's Condition Grave.
Madrid, Dec. 8. King Alfonso's
physician is causing extreme anxiety at
court. Tho king is suffering from a
tubercular affection of the inner ear.
Dr. Monroe, of Bordeaux, has performed
three slight operations to check this
disoneo. Now a serious operation has
become necessary, and the queen is
much concerned about tho result, in
view of the king's weakened const!
tution. His tubercular condition un
doubtedly was inherited. His father
died of tuberculosis, with complications
which are also presont in the case of
AJi;on80 XJ.il.
Awake, but Feel No Fain.
New York, Dec. 8. Boforo an audi
onco of distinguished surgeons, Profes
sor Thomas Jonnosco, tho Roumanian
scientist, demonstrated today that
painless operations could be performed
on patients while they remamoa con
scious. Professor Jonnesco hypodermi
cally injects etovaino into the spine, at
tho same time administering strychnino
to stroncthen tho heart. Threo chll
dren and a woman wore operated on
by local surgeons after Dr, Jonnesco
had applied tho stovalne. Professor
jonnesco intends to go west ana aem
onstrato.
King Leopold Paralyzed,
Pnri. Dflc 0. Private advices from
Brussels stato that King Leopold is
..... . i mi il ' lt. L
sjigntiy improvea. mo enure rifjnv
side is paralyzed, but today the king
was able to sign documents. Ho still
snfrWn irrantlv from rheumatism, and
-77",. H -l xi.
attending pnysicians cuu uv uiu jjujuvo
tunco daily.
I OREGON STATE ITEMS OF INTEREST
J
STOCK RATES FIXED.
Commission Prepared-Shipping Contract
and Fixes Valuation.
Snlom After investigations and de
liberations that hnvo cxtondod back
for n poriod of nbout 12 months, tho
railroad commission issuod an ordor re
quiring tho railroad companios oporat-
ing in Oregon to nuopt a uniiorm con
tract for shipping livestock. A com
ploto contrnct hns boon proparod by
tho rnilrond commission, which the
railroad will heroaftor bo roqulrod to
uso, and which tho commission contonds
is much moro fair and roasonauio tnau
tho ones now used.
Tho commission has found that both
tho railroad companios and tho ship
pers havo been disposed to bo fair and
havo civeu tho commission ovory ns-
sistanco. The principal features of tho
now contract aro as follows:
1 If tho shipment is over moro than
ono lino, tho contrnct will sorvo ns a
throuch bill of Inding, its provisions
inuring to tho bonoflt of and being
binding upon all connecting carriers.
This will do away with tho presont
practice or roquirinir shippers to sign
a now contract ovory timo tho ship
ment passes to a connecting enrrior.
2 The carrier is hold liable for loss
or injury caused by its own nogligonco.
3 Tho carrior is not liablo for loss
or damago duo to act of God, tho pub
lic onomy, authority of law, or nets or
defaults of tho shippor.
4 Shippor agrcps not to load a car
if ho finds dofects which make it un
safe or unserviceable and agrees to
notify ngont and domnnd necossary ro
pairs boforo loading.
5 Shippor agrees to load and unload
his stock and to see that the shipment
is accompanied by attendants to look
after it. Ho must soo tno doors aro
fastened and kopt fastened. Tho com
pany is liablo for loss or damago iu
loading or unlonding only when samo
is caused by its own negligence.
0 If shippor neglects to send at
tendants and railroad employes act as
attendants it is done at shipper's risk.
7 Shipper assumes risk of loss or
injury to stock when caused by any
of them being wild, unruly or weak or
from ill effect of being crowded in
cars.
8 Shipper agrees to protect tho car
rier if his stock is infected with any
disease.
Q Lien of carrier for freight charges
is not affected by removal of stock
from tram or yards.
10 In event of loss or injury, ship
por ngrces to notify agent of carrier
before removing tho stock.
11 It provides that all suits or nc
tions for tho recovery of claims tor
Joss or damage must be commenced
within GO days after tho shipper has
received notice that his claim is ro
fused.
Tho valuations covering ordinary
livestock havo been fixed by tho com
mission.
Tho following tablo shows these val
tiations compared with those which arc
now found on the S. P. company's con
tracts:
. S.P. Com.
Val. Val.
Each stallion or breed
ing jack $50.00 $100,00
Each horse, mule or ass 20.00 75.00
Each bull, ox or beef
steer 20.00 40.00
Each stock or rango
steer 10.00 25.00
Each beef or milk cow. 20.00 35.00
Each stock or rango cow 10.00 20.00
Each calf , 5.00 10.00
Each fat hog 5.00 12.50
Each stock or rango hog
or pig 1.00 7.50
Each fat or mutton
sheep j 2,00 4.00
Each rango or stock
sheep 1.00 2.00
Each goat 2.00 2.00
Schools Get More Monoy.
Ashland TaxDavers of Ashland, nt n
special school .meeting, voted to raise
over fzu.uuu by special tax for tho sup
port of the free public schools of tho
citv for tho ensuintf vonr. This n in
addition to nearly $10,000 estimated re
ceipts irom tne state and county fund,
and includes a provision for tho instal
lation of departments of manual train
intr and domestic science in tho snhnnls
for tho coming year. The total taxablo
nronertv of the district is nnarlv .'..
000,000. Opo additional grade and ono
moro high school toadhor aro provided
ior in tno estimates for next year.
Little Wheat Planted at Ocrvals.
Gorvais Inquiry into the acreage
sown to winter wnoat in tins anil sur
rounding sections results in tho fact
that not to exceed one-fourth of the
acreage has been plowed, and not all of
tnat nns been seeded. Most of the acre
age is in cheat hay, and little fnll whent
is sown. Lat year at this timo thoro
was an unusually largo ncrcaire of fnll
grain put 'in, and as a result tho amount
of grain harvested last fall was tho
largost in many years, and was a sourco
or great proiit.
Dlvido Cove Farms.
Covo, Or. The Shoemakor ranch of
220 acres and tho Matt Mitchell rnnph
have beon sold to Wenatchco parties,
who will cut tho farms inn
and soli them. Wonatcheo buyers say
more is no uottor rrult land nnywhoro
uinn in wio urand Hondo valloy, and
land prices nro lower than olsewhore.
Wheat Land at $117.50 An Aero.
Athona Honry Keopko hns pur
chased 40 acres of valuable wheat land
from Miss Marv Ln Brftchn nt t.hn nn,
sidoration Of $117i50 nnr nnrn." 'Pirn
land joins Mr. Keopke's ranch on tho
oast, and makes a valuable addition
to his present place.
New Telephone Line to Interior.
Ontario Tho independent telephone
lino connecting Ontario with mBurns,
Drowsey and narnoy, a diatanco of J50
miles, is completed. This now lino now
gives direct communication betweon
Ontario, Valo, Westfall, Beulah. Drow
sey, Harney and Burns.
SEARCH FOR OIL KEEPS UP,
Mainour County May Bo Largost Oil
Fiold in Wost.
TTnlnn .T P. Wilbur, director of tho
TTntnn Mnllnnnl linnlr. nf Union, stated
that ho is quito cortain thnt oil will bo
discovorod in paying quantities in .Mai
nour county, wnoro no una just uuuu iu
look into tho oil prospecting going on
thoro.
"Ho von out of 22 incorporated oil and
gas companies in Mnlhour county,"
statod Mr. Wilbur, "aro drilling stead-
lly dny and nigni at. uopins varying
from COO to 1700 foot. Aftor a rocont
rhnrntirrh n Ynmlnnt Inn ItV ChcBtor Wash-
burn, United Statos oil geologist, ho
stntod positively that, in his estimation,
Mainour county would in iimo uo mo
largost oil-producing Hold in tno wosi."
Tf nil U fnnnil In tlm minntltioB OX-
pectod by Mr. Wilbur, ho thinks it will
bo plpod to Portland, and will thus aid
1 ilmtftlnnlnn tlitu nnvt tlin afntn na
XII 1U UW,ll bM.c, , u V - t.iw v. ..h
woll ns tho plnco wnoro it is discovorod.
Tho discovory or on, Air. wuour uo
claros, will aid in tho reclamation of
much nrid land in Eastern Oregon and
Idaho, as cboap luci ior pumping mo
necessary wator win tuon uo avaunuio.
FAMOUS ROAD SPOILED.
Expcnsivo Highway Almost Ruined by
Excessive Traffic.
Salem Tho fact that road districts
near corporato limits havo roads thnt
nro used oxtonsivoly by pooplo in out
lying districts, whilo thoso samo out
lying districts havo roads which aro
nover usod by tho pooplo who rosldo
in tho closo vicinity of corporato lim
its, is tho bono of contention which
called a largo delegation to tho city to
day to appear boforo tho county court
in bohnlf of tho government road,
which was constructed horo a few years
ago by tho department of agriculture,
Tho delogatiou contondod that team
stors from tho mountain timber dis
tricts, carrying heavy loads of wood,
had materially injurod tho experimental
road of the govornmont north of Salem,
and .that repairs are now necessary bo
cause of extraordinary usago.
Tho county court is in a quandary
as to how to sottlo tho difliculty, but
hns offorod tho district a roek-crushor
and sufficient holp to oporato it so thnt
the govornmont road may bo placed
bnck in good condition.
Albany Club Women Eloct.
Albany Tho ladies' auxiliary of tho
Albany Commercial club, which in now
ono of tho most active organizations in
this city, held its annual election and
ro-electcd Mrs. J. K. Woatherford prcHl-
dent; Mrs. E. W. Cooper, vice-president,
and Mrs. D, D. Woodworth, treasurer,
Mrs. J. C. Irvlno, who has served tho
club most capably as secretary, roftiHcd
a re-olcction, and Miss Flora Mason was
choson for thnt position.
Warehouso Planned.
Hot Lake The farmers union is plan
ning to build a largo warehouso hero
early next spring to nnndlo tho grain
crop of its members. This will be tho
first warehouso to bo erected by tho
now organization in this part of union
county.
Picking Out Debating Teams.
Univorsity of Oregon, Euccnc Try-
outs for tho interstate debating teams
aro being hold at tho University of
uregon, in wnicn 40 men aro partici
pating. Elovon men aro to bo chosen
for tho teams.
PORTLAND MARKETS.
Wheat Bluestcm, $1.15; club, $1.04;
red Russian, 41.01; valley, $1.02;
Turkey red, $1.04; 40-fold, $1.01.
Barloy Feed and brewing, $28.50
29 per ton.
Corn Whole, $33.50; cracked, $34.50
nerton.
Oats No. 1 white, 31.50 32.50 per
ton.
Hay Timothy, Willamotto Valley,
v..)a)iv por ion; eastern uregon, $iac
21; alfalfa, $10(77)10,50; clover, $lfi
10; cheat, $1510; grain hay, $1C
Butter City croamory extras, 30c;
fnncv OUtsidn crnnmnrv. .1.1l7i).17r nnr
lb,; store, 2224c. (Butter fat prices
average lo per pound under regular
uuiior prices.;
Eggs Fresh Oregon extras, 4345c
per dozen; Eastorn, 3138c per doz.
Poultry Hons, 15(IxOc; springs,
1510c; roostors, 010c; duckB, 16
10c; goso, ll12c; turkoys, live, 20c;
dressed, 25c.
Pork Fancy, 10llc per pound.
Voal Extras, llllc por pound.
Fresh Fruits Applos, $13 per box;
pears, $11,50 por box; cranborrios,
$00,50 per barrol.
Potatoes Oregon, 6070e per sock;
sweot potatoos, lo por pound.
Vegetables Artichokes, 75c per
dozen! cnllbnirn. 11. nnr nnnml. rnilnro
F ------ f J X W JW. I ' V .... V. , VW.Wft,
$3,754 por crato; hothouso lottuco,
vx.uu por dox; garlic, luc por pound)
horsoradlsh, $1.50 por box; pumpkins
IViVjc; sprouts, 8o por pound)
SOUasll. 1(77) ! tnmnfnna 7Kn7?i
Sack Vcgotablos Turnips, $1 por
nui.il, curruiH, qji- peois, qsi.ou; parsnips
$1.50. ' 1 1
Onions Oregon, $1.50 por sack.
CattlO Best Steors. 4.f50ii)4.7r;? fnh
to good, $4(a4.25; modlum and foodorB,
4. ft mrx.7n mm fe .
T.i,.)u(ai.,.,f); nest cows, $;j,00(n03.70! mo
dlum, . $3(?)3.75; common to modlum,
2.50()3.75; bulls, $2(iJ)2.50; stags, $2.50
iW3,50; calves, light,' $5.255.50;
honvv. $4)4.75.
Hogs Best, $88.25; medium, $7.50
flj I. OU BlOCKOrS, $1(a)-J,70,
Sheop Best wethers, $4.254.75;
imr io iroou, i.nt(45 "est owes, $a.vo
4; fair to good, $3.503,75; lambs,
Hops 1001) crop, J8(23c 1008 crop,
nominal; mu crop, iSCj jyuu crop, HC.
Wool Eastern Orogon, 1028e per
pounu; monair, cnoieo, aoc per pound,
Cancara Bark Vjo por pound,
Hides Dry hides, 1810c per pound;
drv kin. 17frJ)18fl nor nnnnrl- Arv rnlf.
Bkin. 10(75)21 C nor nnnnrl- anlrnl hlilns.
lOVjllcj salted calfskin, I510o por
jjuuuu, green, 10 less.
' V T 1 M A JLJ iM, U1U1 I 1 1' mn,-
Film BOO Foot Long Donlet -r......
u amj Ht iiaruin,
VInfnrln. H n T in
. . --. --. ... uiuvid
,u iiti.iiinaiuuiion nr I-i-
xto nt Jlnrbln Is to bo use.1 i
. ..... --..iii:
mm ui mo uoronn assnssln, accoril
uiK iu UUVICOB oroiiK lit UV Mm .1
ivngn junru today,
wnen rnnco ito was mooting jr
KokoVOStnfT. tho intn .e. .
.IUL- I I
nnnnco,. a missinn cinomntogranh nl,n
I l ' s-V 1 UKR mnu
inir nI(!tiiron nf flm
.x "ft wmu inn
uio scones nuoiidant upon tho n..nx.i
muion or. rriiico Ito. When th t"
nneso ouiciais learned t int M.n
wirua iu mo iragoiiy woro succeuVni
i 41. A "V IIIC
set ii rr ? eot !, .-J
trial of tho assassin. Another sot nf
Mm Attn will l. -l.M.ti. , T - 801 "f
nu in , nnn
f,l.l..n.n .. -
death of Prlnci ito w.H
ChlinKOd POl OV of .Tnnnn ....! , ,l
ntvintr in l,n ...llli .
r - - - --....-. r imriv itm..
I.r.iiw.lif in ...1,1 . , i- " --.ml:
Pokin Times says t.mt wfflV ro-
" v" HiiiiuuK coups to lOOit
.-...... ....u.huho, ms successors
aro likely to bo nggrosslve, and ( h.na
m.hj ouitui mu uuiiBcquoilCO.
r1 n Tl Tl VTTT A riTiHT x.H
vuxxwiinuun ojLJxaua BY COOK
- " oi iraud Are
Puro Fiction.
Coponhngon, Dec 10. Dr. Tom
tor of tho University of Coponliaecn
said tonight that tho charges pub
lishod in tho Now York Times against
ur. a-retiencK A. Cook aro hao.
.... n if r ....
uuiu uuLiuii. hi vi rr nin.u I. . .. . , ,
--.Mw.vo, mu aiiuc(i.
tin ivnillfl ripuntil Hi., ..rr... ...
" mu uxxur 10 examine
tho documents prepared bv Loos
till 11 k 111 wlili.li tli MM. I
" xiiiivb ims atrri'Pii
to solid to Coponhngon,
Walter LoiiHtlalo, secretary to Dr.
Cook. Who brOUL'ht Mm nvnl,.....
ords to Coponhngon, also declared that
accusations published in New York
and London against Dr. Cook wcro
totally unfounded. Ho said that tin
pnpers delivered to tho University of
Copenhagen contained tho original oh
nervations made by Dr. Cook on tbu
trip, without alteration.
Mr. Lonsdale said tho oxplorer's ro
port was founded on these and die
tntcd by Dr. Cook to him, no other
person lmving anything to lo with it.
Looso nnd Dunklo, Mr, LonBdalo
added, wero guests nt tho Waldorf
Astoria whon Dr. Cook was there, but
tho explorer's acquaintance with tbenv
wits slight.
MINE VERDICT REFUSED.
Officials Scorod for Laxity in Search,
for Witnesses.
Cherry, III., Dec. 10. Tho inquiry
of tho coroner's jury into tho St. Paul
mine disaster, in which 300 men wero
killoil, enmo to au abrupt closo today
without a vordlct boing reached.
Tho jury announced It would not
consider roturning a verdict until
Alexander Rosonjnck and Robert
Donne, missing witnesses, either hail
been found or county oftlcJnls showed
evidence of a gentiino desire to find
them. Tho hearing adjourned to De
comber 20 to givo ofilcinls an oppor
tunity to senrch for witnesses.
John Hand, a miner, who was among
tho first to enter tho mino the Jay
following tho disaster, testified that
ho heard signals from entombed nnn
ors, but that ho could get no help
fiom ofilcinls or experts to whom ho
told his story.
Tho minor said ho was standing at
tho top of tho shaft when he heard
repeated tappings that could have
been caused by nothing but the pick
of tho entombed men.
Long Walk Safely Mado.
Denver, Dec. lO.Miss Arizona.
Owons, who complotod her 433 tinlo
walk from Shoshone, Wyo., to Denver
last night nt 7:30 o'clock, appears
llttlo tho wonto, this morning for her
oxporlenco with an almost continuous
blizzard during hor 10-dny trip. "To
mnko n living," is Miss Owens ex
planation for tho unusual journey,
which sho Bays was mndo on a wager
that sho could accomplish tho feat in
17 days. Miss Owens, who is small
and almost frail, has walked iong dis
tances boforo.
Goodwin Back to Stage.
Los Angeles' Dec. 10,-Nnt OoodwJ
and his brido, who was Edna Goo
rich, today announced that they ouW
return to tho stage In three month ,
but would appear in different
Unostentatiously Mr. and Mrs, uooo
win slipped into Lob Angeles a i tw
days ago and betook thomaelvea t
tholr winter homo in Santn Mogej.
Goodwin will nppenr in "An Oal
Yorkor" throo months honce.
Goodwin's appoarnnco will bo maie
about tho samo timo
Mrs. Nation Wiolds Grip.
Washington, Dec. O.-Mrs, Carrie
Nation, who eumo horo o keep ner .
on congress, wont into tho buffo tor JJ
Union station thi a "ornoon, nnd, , J
hor satchel, gnashed about $
of bottled Slinky. Sho w g 0 .
arrofltod, chargod with destroying V
vato property.
Patont Brings $300,000.
Alton. 111., Dec. O.-Alvln 3. Io
was notified today by tho Unltoti .a
government that it hnd L
patent rang-flndor and dlstnMe
pralsor for $300,000 The Dt h9
simplifies tho firing of WK nf"d,Bmer
navy. Hoskins Is a former onci
chant of Uppor Alton.
Recent Storm U
St. Joseph, N. F Doc. 3J t
lives and $500,000 vottt F,' D0
both on land and soa WL the
known to havo beer i taken w iti
storm that uwopt New Founuian
its waters last weok,