The morning Astorian., December 13, 1904, Page 4, Image 4

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THE MORNING ASTORIAN' ASTORIA, OREGON.
TUESDAY, DCCEMItft 11, 1004.
THE MORNING ASTORIAN
Establiihsd 1873.
PublUhed Daily (Except Honda;) by
THE J. S. DELLINGER COMPANY,
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
By null per year $( 00
By mail, per month SO
Br carrier. per month 0
THE SEMI-WEEKLY ASTORIAN
By mall, per year, In advance ..$1 00
gVOrdm for the dVhrerta of Tat ttownss
Astoria to either mMw. or place of businm
may be made by poetal card or throturti tb
pbooe. Any Invtuiority In drlltery ahouid he
uiawdialety reported to the office of publication
Telephone Main 661.
and equal proportions of taxes. This
the people will not submit to, and It
ahould not be tolerated In the court.
Today' Weather.
Western Oregon and Western Wash
ington Tuesday: rain. Eastern Ore
gon and eastrr Washington, rain or
now.
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TAXES ON TIMBER.
The tiling of five suits against Clat
sop county, Injoinlng the sheriff from
selling Ire timber lands belonging to
the plaintiffs for delinquent taxes, will
result in calling the attention of the
people of Clatsop county to the neces
sity of protecting its forests against
the encroachment of syndicates who
, buy timber lands for speculative pur
poses, and who are not identified with
the commercial interests of the county.
It is a well-known fact that the for
erts of the eastern and middle states
are already denude of their timber,
and in the near1 future Oregon and
Washington will be called upon to sup
ply the demands of trade. Knowing
this, a few wealthy men have formed
trusts," or syndicates, as they term
them, for the purpose of securing con
trol of all. the available timber in
both states. That frauds have been
perpetrated In securing much of the
timber lands, is. too well known to
admit of any doubt. That large tracts
have been secured at a very low figure,
by employing men to take up the lands,
prove up on them, and then turn triem
over to these syndicates Is welt known.
Many men have been hired for a paltry
sum, in many Instances not exceeding
$100, to file on timber lands for ttiese
syndicates. In this way they acquired
title to thousands of' acres of the best
timber lands of Clatsop county.
These syndicates have not purchased
these lands for the purpose of en
gaging in the lumber business, foster
ing or building up any industry, but
for purely speculative purposes. They
purpose holding them until such time
as saw mill men and lumber manufac
turers are compelled to buy them, pay
ing a fabulous price therefor. Whenj
tMs time comes, as It will In the near
future, the price of lumber will ad
vance to double the present prices. On
account of the necessary increase In
the price of lumber, the market will
be demoralized: people cannot afford
to build, and the result will be that
many saw mills will have to go out
of business. Thousands of men will
be thrown out. ot employment, and its
effect upon the business community
cannot be estimated. All of this will
be accomplished, by a, few unscrupu
lous timber syndicates for private gain.
These are the men that have filed
suits In the circuit court of Clatsop
county, complaining of the assessments
made against their property. They
claim that their property is assessed at I
more tftan its actual cash value, and
that the estimates made by the cruis
ers employed by the syndicates. As
to this last contention there can be
no doubt. Timber syndicates employ
cruisers to cruise claims, with tte
Instructions to cruise them at half or
two-thirds of their actual products.
They buy the lands from the owners
on the basis of the cruise made by their
own men. The cruisers sent out by the
county made an honest cruise and
gave in the actual amount of timber on
each claim. This is why there is a
wide discrepancy between the syndi
cate cruisers' and the county cruisers.
They claim that tibpy ought to pay
taxes on the same basis that they se
cured the lands, and because the coun
ty court will not accede to their unjust
demands they endeavor to stop the sale
of their lands by some technicality, in
hopes of avoiding their Just and equl
able nrODOrtlon of county taxes. In
years past these lands have not been
assessed at one-tenth of their actual
value, and now becaues the county pro
poses to assess them at one-third of
the actual value, they refuse to pay and
expect to avoid taxes by litigation.
Their contention will never be up
held in any court of Oregon. They
will be compelled to pay their taxes,
with interests and costs, and In Justice
to the county the assessor should
double the assessment on every timber
claim in the county, and even then It
will not be in proportion to the amount
the owners of small homes are com
pelled to pay. Timber syndicates have
no Interest in the county, but rather,
they are seeking to destroy one of its
most important industries. Not only
have they virtually robbed the gov
ernment by ttip most glaring frauds In
securing title to these lands, but now
want to rob the county of their Just
A FERNICIOI'8 VICE. S
Gambling la the most pernicious, of
all forms of vice. It Is demoralising
ti its effects, is productive of crime,
any many young men are ruined In
endeavors to make a living without
work. This does not apply simply to
those ttrwt play at the ordinary games
in vogue In smalt cities where gmnb
ling Is allowed, but In the great gamb
ling games conducted In the Chicago
wheat market and on Wall street,
The gamblers of the Chicago wh.wt
pit, and on Wall street, are not con
fined to young men who rob their em
ployers to take risks against profes
slonal gamblers, but even by promi
nent members Identified with the
churches of the large cities, business
men, and even laboring men, who can
ill afford to haxard their tard-earned
money against the sharpers of the
gambling pit
The dispatches announce that Thos.
Lawson of Boston, author of "Prenatal
Finance," backed by John W. Gates,
and a number of other grand larceny
ttsleves, cleaned up in one day on Wall
street last week $114,000,000. In other
words, they robbed hundreds of men
out of all the money they had In the
world. Men were ruined, families
thrown upon the cold charities of the
world, and a financial panic barely
averted. If Thomas Lawson and his
confederates In the gigantic swindling
scheme had their Just deserts, they
would now be doing time at Sing Sing,
with other criminals, serving time for
less crimes.
There is no sympathy due the unfor
tunates who lost tfr-etr all In the great
onslaught on Wall street last week.
They went into the game to win, and
defraud someone else. Instead of win
ning they lost, and they are deserving
of the consequences. No sympathy
should be extended to any man wno
bucks a gambler's game with the ex
pectancy of winning, and then turns
turle and has the man arrested 'for
violating the law, the same law that he 1
was violating. Had they won from
the gambler not a world would be said, j
but when they lose, a howl goes up:
appeals to officers are made and in
many Instances the gamblers are com
pelled to disgorge rJhc amount won.
If It were not for gambling the
crusade against saloons would not be
as bitter. If gambling were not tole
rated, there would be no advocates of
local option laws. As a rule the gamb
ler who robs those who play at his
game is not as bad as the player. No
man ever plays at a game that he
does not expect to win, but when he
loses he appeals to the officers of the
law for reimbursement, and to the
moral element to close up the games.
This is similar to deathbed repentence.
These facts are becoming selfevldent,
with the result that gambling has been
prohibited in many cities and towns
In Oregon, and the crusade if persisted
In will soon wipe gambling from every
city, town and hamlet In Oregon. But
as long as gambling Is permitted In
Wall street, and my the leading men of
the country. Just so long will petty
gambling be tolerated In small cities
and towns.
In ths age, and generation mankind
shows a selfish disposition which be
comes more Intensified, by efforts to
prohibit gambling. They talk about
the inalienable rights of man, and they
quote from the declaration of Inde
pendence, that "all men are created
equal and endowed with certain In
alienable rights, such as life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness," and the
pursuit of happiness is the foundation
stone of Jhe gambling fraternity. They
are lhappy when they are robbing some
poor man out of money that he needs
for the support of his family and the
education of his children. The example
is set by the wealthy men of the na
tion, without a word of objection from
either clergymen or the lawmaking
power, and as long as grand larceny Is
permitted, petty larceny Is certain to
exist,
Richard Canfleld, the patrician
gambling house proprietor of New
Tork, whose gambling established Is
regarded as the most aristocratic In
tiat city, was recently convicted and
fined $1000 for maintaining a gambling
house. There Is a lax sentiment upon
the subject of gambling,' and the pro
hibition of it, all over the country that
Is a curse to society and will continue
to curse society until it is rooted out
The Canfleld conviction may mark
merely an isolated and sporadic revul
sion against the sentiment of the "open
town," which sentiment prevails In
nearly all the great cities. It proves,
nevertheless, that at the base of the
American theory of government is a
true view of public morals and public
policy, and It Indicates that there is
always a danger of Its coming to the
service, to the cleaning up of the so
cial and political house and the inaug
uration of an era of great public de
cency and good sense.
o
presents the views of ninety-nine tv
publican members of the senate Hint
house seventy-seven of whom are op1
posed to tii HIT revision whereas the
total republican membership of the t,wo
bodies is substantially 270. In other
words, this poll represents the views
of only about one-third of the repubtl
can member of the present congress.
tn addition, no attempt was made to
ascertain the views of the democratic
members; numbering In both branches
of congress over S00, and alt of them
It Is safe to asume. In favor of some
modification of the tariff.
That the growing demand for tariff
revision is making it deep Impression
on congress Is evident from the a.iy
way lit which some of the hitherto
"stand-pat" leaders express themselves
on the subject. In Senator Lodge's
opinion, "umiotibtedly some of the
schedules might be changed:" while
Senator Reveridg declares that he Is
'not yet ready to talk 'on tariff revision
for publication," but he believes that
"the Indiana delegation Is willing to
follow the lead of the president In the
matter." While insisting that the
principle of protection must remain
Senator Fairbanks, vice president
elect, affirms that "the principle of
protection must remain," Senator
Fairbanks, vice-president-elect, affirms
that "the republican party will not
hesitate to change schedules when the
necessity for such change becomes
evident." Senator Aldrlch has no
time" Just now to talk about tariff re
vision, but he believes "the republl-
an majority In congress may be
trusted to do the wise thing." Other
expressions of opinion by recognised
'stand-pat" advocates are of a similar
tenor and Indicate, like the foregoing,
that their author are beginning to
see a great light.
It Is evident from this wavering In
the lines of the protectionists radicals
that the mutter of an early revision of
the tariff rests largely In the hands of
President Roosevelt. Should he sound
the signal for a reasonable measure of
tariff reform, there Is hardly a shadow
of a doubt that a majority In both
branches of congress would rally to
his support and that the "stand-patters"
who have threatened to "fight to
the last ditch" would acquiesce In the
inevitable. The matter is now "up" to
the president, and If he shall refuse
to heed the increasing tide of public
sentiment for a reformation of archaic
and burdensome tariff duties that we
now maintain, he need not o sur
prised If popular confidence in his po
lit leal Independence and courage and
in his statemanshlp were to be rudely
shaken.
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s sweu Tog-, In A. STfiKFS I Home f I
For Men. " ' Swell. Togs S
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1 HmiUmt
TIME
We Fit
Anyone
you were seeing us about your Winter
Suit or Overcoat if you expect to be in
the "running" with the fashionably
dressed men around town. These
garments are "chock full" of good
quality and style tnat, is only pro
duced by a first class City Tailor. To
buy your clothes here is to be well
i
dressed, and to be well dressed is
half the battle of life.
P. A. STOKES
Money Back if
Dissatisfied
030ftOftO0000$0OftOftOOftODO0&0e00 am001)00000030(!010
PERSONAL MENTION.
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
TARIFF REVISION.
From a poll that the New Tork Her
ald has made among members of tne
senate and house of representatives on
the subject of tariff revision that news
paper draws the conclusion that the
present congress will take absolutely
no steps toward changing the tariff
except, perhaps, in the case of duties
on products from the Philippines and
that probably the Fifty-ninth congress
will follow the same policy.
This poll, however, I by no means
convincing on that point It re-
Vary Little 8uins TraniaoUd at
Lsst Night's Masting.
'An adjourned meeting of the com
mon council was held last evening, all
the members being present except
Councilman Bellund.
Petition from Otto Mlchaelson for
liquor license was referred to the com
mittee. Petition from A. Rlckards and 35
others for a street light at Uie foot of
Ninth street was referred to the street
committee.
Petition from D. H. Welch to pay
for street Improvements on the In
stallment plan, was allowed.
Petition from B. Wistar Morris of
fering to pay the original assessment
for construction of a drain In Upper
Astoria was reftfrred )U the street
committee.
Petition from'the O. R. A N. Co. for
a building permit for the building re
cently errected on Commercial street
was reported adversely upon by the
street committee, as It provided for a
wooden roof and being in the fire lim
its, wooden roofs are not allowed ex
cept occasionally.
An ordinance accepting the Improve
ment of Grand avenue was passed
under suspension of the rules.
An ordinance accepting the Improve
ment of Ninth street was laid over,
Councilman Burns stating that the
street had not been completed In ac
cordance with the specifications.
An ordinance confirming the special
assessment on Grand avenue was laid
over to give property owners who de
sired to take advantage of the Install
ment plan an opportunity to do so.
It will be passed at the meeting next
Monday night.
The superintendent of streets was
Instructed to repair the sidewalk on
Eighth street going to the sdfcpolhouse.
George C. Flanders of the Standard
Oil Company appeared before the coun
cil to make a statement relative to the
contemplated building of an oil tank
at the foot of Fifth street. Accord
ing to his statement oil tanks were pre
ventatives of fire, a thing of beauty and
a Joy forever.
There being no further business the
council adjourned. The regular meet
ing will occur next Monday night.
It may be as well for the baking
powder and chewing gum manufactur
ers to iwalt a determination of the
manner of making awards at the St.
Louis fair before advertising prize products.
John Flnley of Portland whs In the
city yesterday.
M. J. Kinney was down from Port
land ysterdny.
Ralph Wooden of Jewell was In the
city yesterday.
Judge Dalton of Chinook was In the
city yesterday.
Nate Anderson of Mlsh.waukit was In
Astoria yesterday.
Link C. Burton of Cuthluinet was
in the city yesterday.
Lewis Cunningham of Clifton was
In the city yesterday.
Loul Wilson of the Lewis and Clark
was In the city yesterday.
R. A. Beaborg of liny View was a
visitor In Astoria yesterday.
George C. Flanders of Portland was
In the city yesterday on business.
Captain Whltcomb of Chinook was
a visitor In Astoria yesterday.
J. C. Rlerson and wife of Elsie are
in true city visiting with friends.
Captain George Goodale went to Ft.
Stevens yesterday on officlul business.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Meserve of
Grays River were In the city yesterday.
J. W. Cook of Portland Is In the city
to attend the meeting of the cannery
men. Carl M. Greene of the JJnlted States
revenue cutter service Is In the city
on official business.
Mrs. Emily Roseburg and her moth
er, Mrs. T. J. Kelly, left last evening
for Pittsburg, Penn., vhre Mrs. Kelly
will spend the winter with her daugh
ter. Captain A. C. Anderson and wlf re
turned yesterday from Gardiner, where
they have been the past four months.
Mr. Anderson will leave In u few
days for a visit with friends In t.ie
Nehalem.
Editor Hofer of the Salem Journal
again offers his annual advice, editor
ially, on how to make sauer kraut and
It pays sometimes to take a Dutch
man's advice.
INDIAN LEATHER NOVELTIES
Burned ASTORIA Calender, Banner, Pipe Racks, and
Novelties of all sorts the inexpensive article you can
send East and know it will be appreciated.
J. N. GRIFFIN
"What broke up the ladles' debating
society?
"The leading member was told to
prepare an essay on the yellow peril.
She did so and the opening sentence
read: 'Yellow apparel Is very trying
to most complexions,' "
San Francisco reports feeling an
earthquake, which came in several
sharp Jolts. That wasn't an earth
quake; that was Seattle pushing for
breathing space.
It is estimated by those close to the
administration throne that there will
be few vacant seats at the old pie
counter. . The holdovers are laughing
in their pie.
Advrtisd Lttt.r List.
List of letter remaining unclaimed
for 30 days at Astoria postofflre, r.
cember 12. 1904:
Hall, Alex Mr. ,
Bnrr, T. M.
Harnett, J. A. Mr
Brown. Anton Mr.
Hrunwr, Bell Mrs.
Carlson, John Mr.
Carlson, Llllle Miss
Darrah, O. R. Mr.
Davis, F.
Davis, Wm.
Krlckson, Abram,
Calvin, Garrett. Mr.
Gardner, Frank M.
Gardner, Roger F. Mrs.
Gordon, W, J.
Hansen, Flora Miss.
Henry, Frank Mr.
Hultunen, J. N. Mr.
Jenkins, J. II, Rev.
Jones, M. W.
Kldd, Tom J.
Kellogg. A. J. Mr.
Merrick, Frank Mr.
Olsen, Hueda Miss.
Remkka, AldrlcJi,
Ruutsulntnen, Daniel.
Snow Crick Mines Office.
Taylor, V.
Taylor, II.
Dnland, Charles Mr.
Wood, George Mr.
Wooden, C. L.
Foreign.
King, E. Mr.
Salamansen, John Mr.
8PECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
CHRI8TMAS PRE3ENT8.
at
O'Donovan RosHa, the bold Irish-
American agitator, Is visiting the old
sod, where he has been tendered the
freedom of Cork by the town council.
That means that the cork will be out.
"Money Is plentiful," says Secretary
Shaw, "and It' cheap, too." Now,
Isn't that tantalizing? But, then, talk's
cheap, too.
"My goodness!" exclaimed Mrn.
Plumpton, 'I wonder If that Isn't what
makes me so awfully fat?"
A Massachusetts clergyman says
that prayers have brought him riches.
"Brethren, let us pray."
"Your trouble, madam," said the
physician, "seems to be due to an ex
cess of adipose tissue."
Colonel Watterson ha fled to Europe-1
to get away from the slaughter
house smell.
A Large and Varied Assortment
Ek.trom'. ,
Here are a few articles which will
make suitable and handsome Christ
mas presents for anyone. All popular
and stylish, cheap in price, but high In
quality. Read: Silver novelties In
numerous different pattern, handsome
cut glass pieces, sterling silverware,
ebony goods In brushes, glasses and
toilet sets, fancy umbrellas and canes,
match boxes, tableware, fine chains,
chafing dishes, carving sets, special
watches, diamonds, broches and a thou
sand other things. It will pay you to
consult our prices before going elsewhere.
H, EKSTROM, Astoria, Ore. .
Th Baltimore ft Ohio Railroad Nsw
Through S.rvlo.,
Effective November 27th. 1804, ami
thereafter, a new dally train will be
Inaugurated, leaving Grand Central
passenger station, Chicago, at 10:1
p. m., for Akron, Cleveland, Youngs
town, Pittsburg and I mer mediate
points, connecting at Pittsburg with
"Duquaana Limited" for Philadelphia
and New Tork, and with train No. 10
for Washington, D. C, and Baltimore.
This train will be equipped with
first-class day coaches, Pullman sleep
ers and dining car service.
On all through tickets stop-over will
be allowed at Washington, Baltimore
and Philadelphia, not to exceed 10 days
at each place.
For further particulars address,
Peter Harvey, General Agent, Room
1, Hobart Illdg,, Sun Francisco.
D. B Martin, Manager Passenger
Trnfflc Baltimore, Md.
B. N. Austin, General Passenger
Agent, Chlcngo. '
Best meal In town at the New Style
Restaurant, '
ttmmammumnmonmtmttmttsnall
Next Time
You ueed a pair of
Men's, Women's or
Children's
SHOES
Honest, Durable Shoe s
For less money
than you have
been paying try
S. A. GIKIRE
543-545 Bond St.
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