1
r .v. Tola Issue Of
The Sunday Journal,
Compriaas'
7 Sections-1 68 Pages
JOURNAL CIRCULATION
. YESTERDAY WAS ,
31,679
The weather VFair today; easterly
Winds.: i'' ' - v ' :...! 9'
VOL. V, NO. 38.
PORTLAND," OREGON, SUNDAY' MORNING, . DECEMBER 6,' 1908.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
CONGRESS TO
lira
o
.raws of Greater Navy, Vary
Mnd Portents of Tariff
Battle Are- .Thick Mem
bers ' Gathering -7 Cum-
mins -Revision Program.
' (United FT1 iHirt Wirt.) '
" Washington, Doc Bj Every incoming
train today and tonight brought sena
tors and representatives for the open
ing of the second session of th Sixti
eth congress, which will take place
', promptly a the stroke of 1J Monday.
The first day's proceedings will be
bflef and , format Each house will
adopt the usual resolutions, informing
the other that it is In session, and they
will appoint a joint committee to wait
on the president with similar Informs
tion. Each will then pay respects to tne
memory of recently deceased members,
. and as a further mark of respect will
adjourn to Tuesday noon.
. The president's annual message will
not be real until, the second say's ses
sion. . . ; , . ,
Prominent amon the arrival today
was ex-Governor. Cummins of,. Iowa,
After pacing 'his respects to the presi
dent he unbosomed himself to the news
paper men. -.- - -
"My views on the tariff are well
known," he said. "I have always been
h, revisionist, and X have not changed
my opinions.":
Referring to Senator Beverldge's bill
for a (permanent tariff commission, he
declared: , . ,
"I am In 'favor of suth a comTTrrsafnn,
but not aa a means of delayingacuiH!
I favor early action and the creation o
commission for future use..'
It Is not expected that the session
which opens Monday will enact any
radical or sweeping legislation, Some
thing will have to be done for the navy
and there are prospects of a vigorous
contest over the number of battleships
to be authorised this year whether
four, three or two.- The naval affairs
committee of the 'senate Is practically
under pledge to ' President Roosevelt
that it will hot oppose appropriations
for - two ships. The house will doubtless-
vote for four, aa it did last year,
and' the result is likely to be com
promise on three. .-
-';"' "- v Taft's fragam. --- -
The word has come from Hot Springs
that President Elect Taft wants more
than tariff legislation from the special
MAssion which lie will call for March 15.
' It " is 'understood he will bring strong
pressure to bear on that session for
enactment of some typically Roosevelt
tan policies. These include, it Is said,
recommendations ' for ... f- v
Federal supervision of the stock is
sues of Interstate carriers.
Suspension of the Sherman anti-trust
law provisions In so far as they pro
hibit pooling ' of railroads for adjust
ments of rates. '
The . federal scrutiny of corporation
capitalization Xo prevent stock water
ing: . '
cooperative worm m trust busting be
tween the departments of justice and
commerce and labor and the interstate
commerce commission. , - ... ,
Currency legislation in line with the
recommendations of the monetary com
mission. - ,' ...... ... . f; ..
GRAND JURY FOR
SUPREME COURT
Justices , of Washington Tri
? bunal. Said to Have
i Neglected Duty, f y
l 1 i ''' ? -r.v '.'-I '.fc '"-. '
1 ' (Special Mipntch to Tb Jnnrnnl.l "'.
Spokane.. Wast).,. Dec. 6. While .no
charges have been ; made . Rgalnst any
of the Judge of the; supreme court
1 except Root, it is authoritatively stated
here that the business of the court has
been handled in a grossly careless man
ner, and that ever" opportunity was
afforded for . crookedness.
The opinions in the more important
cases -are said- to have - been signed
without a reading, after an oral hear
ing or argument from the attorneys.
In addition it is claimed that many opin
ions have been framed by young law
clerks about the capital; that opinions
have been handed down by . the court
that were really the opinions of out
siders, and which are now laws.
The custom prevailing in the supreme
court Is for each. Judae to be provid
ed with a popv - the brief filed . In
each esse, which ho Is ..supposed to
read. Oral arguments are listened to,
then ' the judges confer. ' One judge
volunteers to go into the case thorough
ly, and write an- opinion, which the
others sign,, it is stated, with merely
a glance, and It becomes the opinion
of the court. "Per : curiam" opinions,
those without the .signature - of the
court, - are said to- be the ones the
clerks wrote. Some say. the court Is so
busy It cannot attend to all particulars.
The court has an -average of a case
every day, more than any other state.
, The leaving of cases to one judge Is
said to be the cause of the "fndlsore
tlons of friendship'' of Judge Root Sev
. eral Spokane attorneys . are preparing
to fight over the cases In which Root
' rendered unfavorable decisions. They
' are also, working to get a grand Jury.
ST0RR01V WAY
SUCCEED ELIOT
Boston.'' ree.'' 5. A. definite rumor was
circulated among Harvard men In State
street today that the presidency of Har
vard college, after Charles -W. Eliot
leaves on May 1. next, had been offered
to ,lumef J. Storrow, president of the
Boston school board and. a member of
the banking firm of Ie; Hlgglneon A
Co.; The rumor, was that the .position
had been tendered unofficially to Mr.
Storrow by -the Harvard overseers. When
Mr. glorrow himself .was asked, about
it, he said: - . . ,-
"This is news to me. I know nothing
about it. That is all I ran say."
S4.
MOST ANYTHING -TO CHEAT
. . JUSTICE IN THESE DAYS
V
1
Edna Billik kttwing her father.'
.y methods used nowadays to
' -.' ' (Calted ' ms Iaeed Wlre.i '
hicagu. Dec 5. Edna Billik. the lit-
tlel daughter of - Hermann Billik, oon -
aemneu io- nang next rnaay lor ine
tmirder of 1 the Vrzal . family,- today
started an endless chain of httters to
the little girls of Illinois, asking them
1 Eeport of This Stated Representatives the'llost ComprQ-
' hensive Tet Submitted
Governor Chamberlain
' v i (t'alted Press Leased Wire.) ; . -J
uJishlpgton,. Diecv 6. "I, believe that
tile nollrv of conaervatlon i of our nat
ural resources - Is 'the wisest policy, that
r.as been promuigaiea since tne. Ameri
can nation was founded,"' said Governor
George E. Chamberlain of -Oregon this
evening. .-! ;.-.,.
Gavemor , Chamberlain' attended ' the
afternoon sessions of ihe national con
servation commission ana presented the
report of he Oregon conservation com
mission, ne was f accompanied Dy J.
N. Tear of Portland, chairman of the
Oregon cemminsion. The report of the
Oregon representatives ia the most com
plete yet submitted , by any state.. It is
a comprehensive list of Oregon's nat
ural resources, including water trans
portation, water-, resources; land -and
land, reclamation., forests, fisheries and
minerals.' -,.;. r-.-f. .. . ,'
.VWe. haves every', reason to; believe,"
remarked ..Governor, Chamberlalh. ,this
evening, "that certain - persons rand cor
KIIIGHTS OF
WHITE DEATH
r' - i
Postal 'Sleuths - at Chicago
:lvevG:angy :'. Of "
V? I?lact Hand 5ieii;.
i',. : . . j. . ' ;
. . tt'nlted TreM lW .wlr'
Chicago. , Dec. 8. Special vpostofflce
detectives are looking for the- "Cnights
of, the j.Whlte, Death."'.; .The ' Knights
are ready letter writers buf they have
no return address on; their.' envelopes
and the ; pos toff Ice '-inspfc tors wHo are
trying, to find where three threatening
letters . signed , in ithe i name' of v the so
ciety arM addressed . to. Rev. "William O.
Waters,:' came.' fronts Other letters
threatening -- death" have'-' been ' sent to
a man whose name .the authorities have
withheld and- to : Assistant Police Chief
Schuettler. Each letter has contained
a demand fnr money to be placed at a
certain place, i under , threat of -death
bv bomb. .- Rev. Waters was threatened
with the destruction-, of his church,' re-
rrardless of whether -a .religious, meet
ng was going on when the bomb was
exploded. ;- - -' ".' . .
- v. ,(.v.i : "' ' ,
... ,' . Thoma ,Kelley Killed. '
(Special Dlapalck in The Journal.) v !'.
- Butte, Monti' Dec? 5.t-Thomas Kellev,
a .well -known, young, man. of .Dillon,
was accidentally ' killed yesterday., by
the dlschara of ? his - rifle, which fell
off-iis wagon. , He tittered the. cry,
"I'm .shot,", , and fell .over. He died
instantly. . ' '. -i' . . .
........ . .... ' . . .. ;
tHOV TO BUILDUP
'."Business
'racti.es . are ,i about ;
se,:presiderH of:tlie
Louis a Clark
the rriauiifacturer wishes to-incrase his -'trade in the home I
he must meet competition fromwithout' iWc' never began making ' i
piiarroaccuucai ana ; nuusenoia preparations! wiin any otner laea. ;.a
When pijr trade. wa& more lirnjredtb taslc was much more difficult
J -than nbw .We hip 8m goedvJo,. the' New'-England-tatcV-but5
, .our main market is ( on the , coast , and in . the island possession. :.
( continually, "keep hammering a way at the. publicity end of the
J. business' to make, our goods known. . Home manufacturers vwho l- 4
' make as good an article as the outside linci, and-sell it as reason-
able,, and make its finalities known and fully appreciated, will Hot T
Jvhaye cause' to complain of lack of paironaRe."'", "":'. .'T'. - .', yi-"
Pathetic and maudlin example of the
save murderers from the gallows.
I to write . to Governor Iteneen begging
him to pardon her father.
1 Kdna, whose aged grandmother. ' the
moiner oi ouiik. aiea recenuy irom a
broken heart, wrote In her letters: , :
"It will . be au unhappy Christmas
for us if' papa la not with us."
REPORT IS PRAISED
to Conservation Congress '
on Corporation InflueiAe.
porations are making plans to monopo
lize thsa natural resources of our state,
particularly with reference to water and
power rights. A bill will be prepared at
this coming session of the legislature
making It . impossible for tlis to-, be
done." - -
The .report presented - by the com
mission by Governor Chamberlain says
on this subject:
. "We recommend the enactment of a
suitable water law to the end that our
vast water - powers - shall be protected
from monopoly and their development
encouraged.- In event of ' Inability to
provide a more efficient system for the
requirement of water rights, we ure-e
the suspension of the present law until
uiiaoie t measures ror the protection
arid use of our water resources 'can, be
agreed upon." -v .... i '
Governor Chamberlain is to make the
address '0hbehalf ; 6 the governors at
Tuesday afternoon's . meeting, of the
general Conservation ieonf erence,
FREE LEATHER
SCARES BRITISH
Bootmakers Object to Eng
;!;lisli Leatlier. .Reaching V'
sYankec Workmen.
(Colled Pre Leases Win.)
London, Dec. 5. The threatened abo
lition .of . the, tariff on leather is wor
rying Khglish bootmakers. They have
decided, to hold a meeting . to' discuss
means to be adopted in case the change
should be-made: ? i.
English leather.', which is' considered
the best , in the-world,, combined with
American manufacturing ability, lead
ing dealers admit, would let the Ameri
cans establish-. British . trade that
would drive the Englishmen out of busl
noss. They would be able to put shoes
on the market at a price nearly a
fourth lower -than that now charged.
Already the English dealers admit the
American trade Is making a serious in
road Into their business. ;
HUNDREDS ATTEND .
v ' FIRST MARKET DAY
H;rv?3v.r 4 v ;
- 8pcia1' Dlapateli to Tb Journal.1 '
: Eugene, Or., Iea 6.- The- merchants
of Springfield held the first of their
monthly market days in 'that city today.
It Was attended by hundreds of farmers-
from i nearly every j section of the
country, whe brought produce and live
stock to sell, most ptawhlch ' went ,at
a i splendid' figure. . ',-.-
,..,,
44
t.WIUf ACTURING
tKe' .same ; tbc . wi
Clarke-Woodwar
orld over," said
nutivi vv is
ard Drug Co. "Ii : J
territory -
SAILORS BT
BE SLAVES
HIRE
Mayur Lane Declares Board
ing House Monopoly Can
Not Flourish in Portland
While Ife Holds Office
- Sends Caustic Message.
"I will not .permit this sailor
boarding house monopoly to flourish
so long as I can do anything as
mayor of this city to prevent it. The
council had no right to revoke the
employment! office license of Wis
Bchusen & Jpnes, if the facts pre
sented to me are correct. I am In
formed by those who should know
that Oregon, is the only state in the
world that by law sanctions the col
lection of fees from ship owners for
sailors furnished to them by special
ly privileged agents.
' "Portland has the unenviable reputa
tion of being the only large port in the
world' where this unfair employment
system is allowed.- I think any em
ployment agent has a right to furniah
sailors for ships, as well as any other
class of laborers, so lon& as he violates
no law." 1
Jn these terms Mayor Lane last night
stated his attitude toward the ordin
ance revoking the license of Wlsschusen
& Jones, employment agents, at 191
Bumside street, by vetoing which yes
terday afternoon he administered the
first check to the practice of an evil
which haa given the Port of Portland
the name of being one which sailors
should avoid." -
- - Boarding Masters Supreme.
Hitherto' a one man rule has placed
the shipping Industry absolutely at the
mercy of two sailors' boarding houses.
Being licensed by the state they have
enjoyed the exclusive privilege of hir
inir Bailors and charslna- the shipown
ers $30 for each sailor assigned by them.
Th. allnr haa in addition been charged
126 for board and lodglmr . whether he
has been keDt by the boarding house
one day or 30 days. The state law pro
vides that one, montn s wages may oe
advanced to the sailor wnen ne signs
with a ship! It ha'been the prsctlce
of the boarding houses to keep sailors
only a day or two before shipping them,
t tVin lnnMt nart of this $25
as a gift.- In this way the boarding
house gets $65 for each sailor it fur
nishes to the shipowner. The number
of sailors that will nave oeen signea
this year has been estimated at 868.
Tha .total for emnlovment fees " and
boarding hou charges will be nearly
. Wlsachisen & Jones charged but $10
for paoh sailor for whom they obtained
a position. It will be seen that the
difference between this fee and that
charged, by the trust maices a saving
of $20 a man, not counting the $25 ad
vanra monev. The total saving that
would be made if only this fee were
charged xor ass sailors wouia on
760, and counting the $25 gratuity per
man the amount shaved off the monop
oly's roll would be $39,060.
' ' V'' . Council Unauthorised.
?The council was led to believe that
Wlsschusen Jones had violated the
state law which requires a license to
be paid for harboring sailors. Mayor
Lane thinks the firm did not violate
the law. and that the action' of the
council In ; revoking the license was
without authority. He refers sarcastic
ally to the fact that "certain interests'
meaning the - boarding houses had
found the Intrusion of the new firm
into their field "as unpleasant."
- Only one councilman voted against
the revocation ordinance, so If the rest
stand pat they can pass the ordinance
over Mayor pane's veto. Nobody ex
pects that they will, however, when the
(Continued on Page Two.)
A KAISER S FiMII
Intensely Dramatic Scene in
Reichstag in Course of
Budget Debate. .
(Hearst News by LoetMt Leased W Ira.
Berlin Dec. 5. An . extraordinary
scene occurred In the relchstag today. It
furnished a striking evidence of the
extremely high tension to which Ger
man politicians have been strung by re
cent events.
The setting of the scene was a spir
ited discussion of the Imperial budget.
tn the-course of which animated ref
erence was made to the naval program
and the foreign situation of Germany.
Herr Scheldemann, Socialist, attacked
the government, but vehemently criti
cised the action of the kaiser.
At the conclusion of Herr Schelde
mann's speech. Lieutenant , Colonel
Ooelts, commissioner of the . federal
council,; arose to reply. He uttered the
opening words of his address, then
stopped suddenly and burst into an hys
terlcsl shriek of laughter.
A fellow member. of the council moved
to the lieutenant colonel's side with a
word of (Soothing admonition, but the
speaker's agitation grew and amid great
confusion he .was carried shrieking and
sobbing from the building.
.During the debate Herr Sydow, sec
retary of the imperial treasiwy, went
over the details of the revenues and
expenditures. He referred to the sac
rifices necessary to place the finances
on a proper basis and he was followed
by speakers of various parties who crit
icised the increased celerity ; In building
battleships, a fact that a,. number of
the Center party, said was taken as a
challenge for other nations.
. Herr Bassermann. National Liberal,
then declared "that--Oermny- had never
objected to the military . and naval
plans snd armament of other nations
and that she rejected- energetically all
suggestions Jrom abroad regarding her
army and navy. . which she would ar
range according to her own wishes. At
the same time, he said, -the whole na
tion rejoiced that"Jermany had decided
to support Iher a1ir,"-A'itr-Hungary, Jn
her .attitude on -the Balkan situation.
EMOTION CHOKES
HEW B SHOP DUE TOMORROW LAUD OFFICE
Methodists Prepare to Wel
come Dr. C. W. Smith to
Oregon.
Bishop Charles W. Smith, the, newly
elected bishop of the Methodist 'Episco
pal church of Oregon, will arrive in
Portland tomorrow evening and Tues
day will be tendered a public reception
to be followed by a banquet at Grace
Methodist. Episcopal church, at which
200 prominent members of the cloth and
laity will be present to welcome him to
his new charge.
At the banquet Tuesday evening, A. F.
Flegel, . . president of the Methodist
Young Men's Social union, will preside
as toastmaster. Dr. C. E. Kline will wel
come the bishop on behalf of the Port
land Methodist Ministers1 association.
Rev. Luther B. Dyott will welcome him
on behalf of the general ministers' as
sociation. Dr. H. H. Marvin, pastor of
the First Methedlst church of Pullman.
Wash., will welcome him on behalf of
Methodists outside of Oregon, Mayor
Harry Lane will welcome him on behalf
of the city, E. B. Piper on behalf of the
gress and W. M. Ladd on behalf of the
uslness men. The banquet will follow
the reception, which opens at 8:30.
Bishop Smith has been for 24 years
editor of the Christian Advocate and is
regarded as one of the ablest men in
the Methodist church. Besides being
noted as a churchman and editor, he
has an enviable reputation as a business
man and has been president of the Cent
tral National bank of Wilklnsburg, Pa.,
for years. During his term as president
of the bank the bishop was frequently
complimented by national bank examin
ers as having the most methodical and
best regulated bank In the Pittsburg
district. Last Saturday evening the
bishop was given an elaborate farewell
banquet at the Pennwood club in Pitts
burg. , .
Nebraska Drjs Undertake to
Whip Him Into Whip
ping Legislature.
Lincoln, Neb., Deo. 5. The organised
temperance forcea.Jif .Nebraska, antici
pating . the candidacy of W, Jv Bryan
for senator two years hence, have sig
nified their intention of forcing from
the Falrview statesman a definition of
his attitude toward county option. Mr.
Bryan has not made known his position
on county option, as a political ques
tion. .
The legislature la Democratic by a
large majority. The temperance forces
assert that this body will do what Mr.
Bryan suggests. Correctly, they ex
pect a county option measure from the
legislature, using their power as a whip
to force Mr. Bryan to dictate .the
measure to his lieutenants.
Mr. Bryan will not return from his
southern trip until December 12.
A canvass of the legislature indi
cates that sentiment regarding the
county option question is about evenly
divided. Governor-elect Shallenberger.
a Democrat, has said that he would
sign a county option bill If the legis
lature passed It. .
GENERAL MILES TO
TOUR IN AFRICA
(Hearst News by Longest Leased wire.)
Paris, Dec. 5. General Nelson A.
Miles leaves Paris in a few days for
an extended automobile tour of Al
geria and Tunisia, French possessions
In Africa, and hopes to be able to
push on into Morocco, if the health of
his traveling companion, Colgate Hoyt,
will permit the journey. Later General
Milea will gratify a long cherishod wish
to visit Corsica from one end to the
other and then sail from Genoa for
home in the spring.
LIQUOR QUESTION
FORCED ON BRYAN
Simon, Strongest Man, Is Yet Not Popular Choice . for
President Said to Be Keeping .Faith With Fir
min, His Political Master. :
(Ualterf Preu Leasee Wire.)
Port Au Prince. Dec. 6. General Si
mon, leader of the uprising that re
sulted in the overthrow of President
Nord Alexis. Is reported tonight as
having promised the support of the can
didacy of General Flrmln of the Hay
tlan presidency. If he should do this
the election of Flrmln Is assured.
Tonight's report Is but a development
01 tne rumor mai ws current wnen
the uprising started, that Simon was
opposing Nord Alexis In behalf of Flr
m in-
Lead ers of the Various factions have.
Deen in almost . consiani conrerence
with Simon ar.d his staff since the gen
eral advanced to the city today. .No- of
ficial confirmation has been given out.
but from several of the participants It
was -learned that representations were
made to Simon 'that his assumption of
tne presidency would ne violently- op
posed by all factions from the north
half of the Island and the aristocratic
resident everywhere,
Simon expressed his desire to re
store peace- as speedily as possible and
to one of his chief advisers remarked
that if peace eonld bo made surer by
the selection of one of the avowed can
didates for the, presidency, he would
support such a move.
There is absolutely no douh .that If
Simon declares himself the president.
General . Fourchard will oppose him.
Fourchard Is due at' Cape Haytt. on the
northern shore of the island, tomorrow.
The northern - country is violently op
posed J to Simon and - it would not - he
difficult to raise an army there and
start a movement agalust the capital.
The selection of Flrmln. it is believed,
will allay this feeling. - -
In the meantime Simon is, 'in com
plete control and his word is law. The
committee of safety, with General Ie
titlmate at Its head, remains nominally
in power, but it is deferring to Simon's
wishes In all matters, , 1
-m, Au U
2 f M
'4 SKE
!
Dr. V. W. Smith.
eugeiie to have
875,000 Hotel
Hoffman House Proprietor
Will Erect Four Story :
Hostelry.
r (Special Dliryatch jjo Tne J6ttrna.) ;(;'
ibUgehe, ; or., , Dae. s. It was an
nounced today that W. 8. Osborn, land
lord of the Hoffman house here, would
soon begin the erection, of a four story
hotel at the corner of East Eighth and
Pearl streets.. The building will be
modeled after the Hotel Portland and
will be modern. It will be situated
across the street from and facing the
courthouse. The cost will approximate
$75,000. ,. , '..'.-
SPOKANE TO FIGHT
R. R. RATE ADVANCE
(Special niaphtch to The Journal.)
Spokane, Wash., Dec. 5. Unusual In
terest was created here today by the
report of the committee appointed by
the Chamber, of Commerce tj investi
gate the new rates, 'which the rallroadJ
will establish the first of the year. A
member of the committee said:
"Unless the roads give us a square
deal, we'll fight them to a finish. We
protest against the present or future
raising of rates. If the roads continue
to raise the rates after this notice we
will take steps to .prevent it. ; , t
L. 0. 3IEIGS SURE
OF SPEAKERSHIP
(SiwcUt Dttpatrfa to The Joaraat)
North Yakima, Wash.. Dec. 5. L. O'.
Meigs, representative elect from this
county, returned today-from a tour of
the state In the Interests of his candi
dacy for speaker of the- next house."
He claims to have written pledges from
48 Republican members, giving him a
clear majority, -a He. feels sure of his
election. He has had- to make some
promises of chairmanships to secure all
of the pledges.
Simon's entrance to the citv took the
form ' of a popular demonstration, but
from the undercurrent of feeling ex
pressed it Is evident the demonstration
grew out of an inspiration of the sol
diery rather than for any affection for
their leader. .
Bimoa's Entry la to City.
Simon received a great ovation
today as he proceeded to the ca
thedral to assist in tWe celebra
tion 01 a Te Dum. When he and
his escort emerged from the edifice
after the services the demonstration
reached a great height. .He was given
the salute of the . president " of . the re
public, bells were tolled and the people
greeted- him with cries of "Long live the
president!" .
It was expected that he would estab
lish himself at the national palace after
touring the city. However, he set up
his headquarters In a residence on the
Champ de Mars. He and his escort were
received apparently with wild delight
wherever they went. ,
The Insurgent force is now occupying
ne various Darraras. in iniantry Is
well supplied with rifles and ammuni
tion, but the cavalry is short of ma
chetes. ,'- v
The 8000 men how in the ranka have
been' welt organised and trained by Gen
eral Simon, and It Is very doubtful If
a force sufficient to oppose them could
me mustered.- :-. .; -'.- ':.
- The1 deposed -president, - NaftAlexta,
accompanied by the party of royal supporters,-
who escaped from the palace to
the French cruder Duguay ., r Tronln.
were today transferred to; the German
steamer Carnla,' which will take them to
Kingston. JnmahM. , '.l
Haitians are greatly nleased with the
Int-i-ease' in the rate of trxchange since
the Alexis government was overthrown. ;
1 - -
PROBED
Receiver A, A, Roberts or
La Grande, Is Under In
vestigation; Relieved the
Shortage Will Exceed Five
Thousand Dollars.
(Special Disrates te The JeoraaL)
La Grande. Or.. Dec B. -D. A. Dun
ning, special agent' of the government
land office, is . In La Grande .checking
the accounts of A. A. Robert,' receiver
of the local office. Roberta accounts
are badly mixed. It is thought that
tne investigation will uncover irregularities-
of extensive scone. - Roberta la
probably worth $10,000. He could make
gooa a snortage to tnat amount. n
has lived modestly since his arrival in
La Grande and is well liked by the pat- '
rons of the land office and the em,
ployes.
When questioned by The Journal he
said:
"The accounts are mixed. I do not
know where I am. I fear some short
age, but believe it will be email. When,'
I took the office I receipted for about 1
$200,000. We have been handling a.
million and a quarter a year. The of
fice has been behind with its work es-1
pecially since July 1, when the new Sys
tem of accounts were established. As '
oon aa. I found I could not mvself !
straighten the books, I asked for a spe-
cial investigation. Mr. Dunning waa
em nere in answer to the request."
Mr. Roberts is ill, today. He spent
the day la his room at the Hotel Foley,
most of the time in bed. ,
Keported loloide Threats.
He was in Portland durlnc tha week.-
as a witness far the government in th,
case of the United States against Louis ,
Kohlhagen. otj trial on a charge of per
Jury. Whil in Portland it is under
stood that he admitted a shortage In hia
accounts and it is said that he Intimated
that be might kill himself, because of
the predicament. His friends heard of '
his threats and talked him out of th
idea. After his return to - La Grande
several days ago he is said, to have
again talked of suicide.
It :ls said -here that' -there are n
fraudulent entries in the books which
might be used against Roberts In thn
event that the government should ever
decide to prosecute. . ..-
Roberts is a half brother .of Congress
man William R. Ellis, through whom
he received his ' appointment as re
ceiver. Mrs. Roberts died some time
ago.
S. A. D. ' Puter spent today at Lt
Grande. He said he was merely here v
on land office business, looking up some
records., . .:. - ..
I R. Glavls, chief -of the field divis
ion of y the general 1 land office with
headquarters In Portland, admitted lust
night that a shortage-in the accounts
of A. A. Roberts of the La Grande land -office
had been discovered and. that a
representative of his office had been
sent to-check up ,the receiver's books.
Checking fcequlres Time. '
Mr. Glavis said further that it would
probably be some time before the work
of checking the books was completed
and until that time it would not be
known just , what the . shortage . would
amount to. . .
Roberts, If' Is understood,-has prac
tically admitted . that there was - a
shortage in his cash balances. Thu
money missing is believed to aggregate
considerably more than $5000.
Roberts, it Is said, has bee specu
lating lately in land deals.
JAPANESE JOIII ;
AIIII-OPIUH 1'JAIi
No Hop Problem of .Their
Own and Will , Help
China Solve Hers.
' (United Preas Leased Wire.)
' Tokio. Japan, Dec 5. Rev. Thwatng,
the present secretary , in the Interna
tional Reform Bureau and delegate for
Hawaii to. the International Opium con
ference at Shanghai, 18 in Tokio, en
route to the conference,' which will be
held next month.
The Chinese and Japanese are en
thusiastic over the conference ami
greatly appreciate America's help and
friendship., Mr, Thwahig has had In
terviews with Japanese .commissioners
and statesmen,' who-at-first-ered little
about the subject, because J pan Is not
troubled with opium problems, but who
now show a deeper concern, in view of
Japan's responsibilities and her oppor
tunities to lead in the reform.
Mr. Thwalng talked with , Count
Okuma, who showed the 'greatest inter
est In the opium conference. He is a
believer In China and is earnest -for the
prohibition of opium smoking,-which ha
believes can be accomplished W the
powers will cooperate.' He declared ther
was a fine opportunity 1 for Kngland to
gain a good name by stopping the ooiunv
trade with China. - , .
The-count said Japan's, wise ophim
laws were, due to Amerjoa'a excellent
advice. Japan, he said, was now fore-,
most among thou working toward trt
goal of total prohibition of the opium
trade, which was not only harmful, bur
unrighteous. , . t - ; . -.
OFFICIAL SANTA
for ray CITV
V ifaltrd Prew 1I Tr
- Chica gk -. U. i . 1 'os 1 1 n 1 1 1
Kal 1 IaiIhv r,,tla1 fr,,iii tl,.. ..
r (
general an official leifr timi.
makes John M. iiuiiMtri. 11-1 -
The letter conlaliir.l a l. i 1 r
to Santa tlua, vat it f,
general. Iam-mI meri-l.ariut 1
arrangement to b.i i
that every on-i v. Ll i.- v . -
1