THE - OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND,. SUNDAY .MORNING, MAX 3, 1914.-
7
IS
T OF THE
BUSINESS OF STATE
Erowth Has Been Such That
.Conditions of Decade Ago
No Longer Prevail,
CONSOLIDATION IS FOLLY
rork of Departments Za Distinct ud
Beo.ulra Bo Many Xm
ployas. By Will T. Kirk.
B&lem, -Or., April SO. There Was a
time when cractlcally all of the state's
business was transacted by the state
"board, consisting; of the governor, the
secretary of state and the state treas
tirer. .
There was a tfme when the modem
department stores were merely general
merchandise stores.
There was a time when Oregon's
capita was a sleepy town without
taved streets or imposing business
Mocks.
But everything has grown and de
veloped" In Oregon In the last few
' years. The employes who used to wait
on the trade In the old-time mercantile
establishment would be but a handful
in the great throng of clerks and floor
walkers and department heads and
managers needed now to conduct the
' modern department store.
The" capita.! city Is no longer splat
tered by its muddy street, which are
row broadly paved and lined with
beautiful, -well-kept homes.
As the rest of the state has grown,
mo has the state government grown.
Its business has Increased many times
In the last 10 years. This business
has become so great that it is sheerest
folly for anyone to nay that the state
board ought to handle practically all
the business of the state as It Used to
do a decade ago. There Is need of
more departments and boards and com
mission now than then.
But it is good common sense to say
that there is need for an overhauling
of the state's business, with an eye to
efficiency and harmony In the charac
ter of work assigned to each depart
ment, as well as economy. When it
comes down to cold figures a compara-
! tlvely small sum of money can be
saved by means of consolidating and
abolishing boards and commissions,
unless the entire work -being done by
.ny certain board or commission 13
cut out altogether.
Sow It "Would Work.
For Instance, but little might be
"Paved and efficiency probably would
;bs sacrificed if two departments like
the rornoratton and! Insurance depart
ments should bo consolidated, as hrfs
ben suggested by some aspiring can
didates. The work of each department
Is distinct. It would have to be kept
separate and would require practically
as mrfny employes as the two now
have. There would be but one depart
ment head, and unless efficiency were
sacrificed ho would have to give his
personal attention to one or the other
nectlon of the work. For the otner
section ho would have to employ an as
sistant -who would be virtually the
head of that branch of the depart
ment. Again, unless efficiency were
to be sacrificed, practically as much
ralsry would have to be paid to this
assistant as the commissioner now re
eel ves.
So proposed consolidations of that
character do not appeal to persons
here who have opportunity to observe
and study state affairs.
In such departments, however, as
1 the state e-ngineer'a office, the desert
land board and the state water board,
efficiency and economy arc crying for
a change. These three branches of
the state government are spending
$643,800 during this biennial period
and to a majority of the members of
the boards this Is but a side Issue.
Can anyone wonder at the laftk of
efficiency? This lack of efficiency
is lack of thoroughness. It is lack of
time to give big affairs proper consid
eration, it is lack of time to make a
study of this branch of the state's
business.
This condition accounts for the de-
plorable mess in which .are all Carey
act Irrigation projects in the state. It
accounts for the many contracts dls
' posing of land .and water and power
sites that have been signed in haste
to the state's great loss, and detri
ment. It accounts for the excessive
amount of wrangling that features
many land board meetings the mem
bers Hpn't know from personal Inves
tigation what the conditions are, and
Rheumatism
Remarkable Horn Ours Given by One
Who Xad IV Ha Wants Every Sufferer
to Bm( it.
. 8snd Ko Money Jutt Tour Address.
Years of awful suffering and mlrery hava
taught till, dud, Mark (I. Jacfcann of Syrscnse,
New York, bow terrible an enemy to human
happiness rbenmatlam la. and bare given him
sympathy with all unfortunates who are
within its eraap. He wants erery rheumatic
victim to Ituow hew he was cured. - Itead
what he says:
"X Had Sharp Pains Like LUjhtainr Zlaanea
mumuv AMvngn my rfoinis.
"In the aprlng OM803 I was attacked bi
llnacnlar and Inflammatory Rheumatism. I
surreraa aa omy tnoae u-no have it know.
iwt "r ww i nmj remeuy a rtr
remedy, and doctor after doctor, but such
relief aa I received waa only tmixrarr i-i-i
, ally, I found a remedy that cared me com,
pletely. and it has never returned. I bare
aiTen n to a numoer woo were terribly af
jucira inu ,TFD iwuriuueu wicn Itoeumatlsm
. snd It effectnd a cure In ever eaa
"I want every sufferer from any form of
rheumatic trouble to try this marvelous heal
ing power. Don't send a. rent; "Imply mall
" ..your name and sdUrena and I will send It
j- - free to try. Alter yon. have ned It and
it baa proven Itself to he that long-looked'
lor
. arar
understand.
rstand. 1 do not want jour money unless
yoo are perfectly satisfied to send it. Isn't
tLat fair J' Why suffer any longer when pos
1 tttva. relief Is thtw offered ou free? Don't
j rtelay. Write today. MARK H. JACKSON,
EFFICIENCY
ED
CONDI!
i I po T24 Gorosx Bldg Bjztim. JfU X'
t i ... - -.-" ....... ,
the state engineer hag -followed a pol
ler o$ ataying In hi office making
theoretical studies and reports instead
of getting oXit over the state and gain
ing first hand knowledge of condi
tions. Where Money Goes.
Of the $618,800. or close to three-
quarters of a million. $10,000 was ap
propriated for the desert land board,
183,800 for the state engineer, $10,000
for the state water board, $15,000 for
the Columbia river power project In
vestigation, to be spent under the
direction of a committee of which the
state engineer is one; $450,000 for the
completion of the Columbia Southern
Irrigation project, to be apent by tin
desert land board; and $50,000 for In
vestigation of the natural resources
of the state (known aa the Deschutes
river Investigation), to be spent by
direction of the state engineer In co
operation with the federal government,
which puts up an equal amount.
None of this work is such that it
can be abolished with profit to the
state, but efficiency can be applied,
and economy and efficiency go hand
la hand. To get efficiency and econ
omy the desert land board and the
state water board 'should be abolished
and a law enacted harmonizing' the
duties of the two and creating a boari
of three members, two to be eleetel
ana the thtrri rn h tin a tat encineni
to perform the duties. At the same
time the state highway commission
which has a fund of $238,500 to ex
pend this year, should be merged lno
the new board. This would place tho
engineering work of the state under
one department, and thus afford op
portunity for economy. It would also
place the state highway construction
under the supervision of a board whose
members would have time for giving
some personal attention to the work.
Members of this board should b
paid higher salaries than are now paid
members of tjie state water board, who
receive $2400 a year. They should
be paid salaries that would attrac
capable business mien and be .com
mensurate with the duties they would
have to perform.
This increase In salaries would be
more than offset by the material re
duction that could be made In the ag
gregate office force of . the three
boards.
Xeorganiaation Zs Imperative.
Under such an organization Ore
gon s land and water matters and
highway construction could be han
dled intelligently by men who would
have opportunity to go out and get
first hand information, and act on
their own Judgment Instead of reports
from some one else. An until some
such reorganization Is effected land
matters In this state are going to va
main In a deplorable muddle.
On the side of economy. If the peo
ple don't want to spend $50,000 mak
ing Investigations Of natural resources,
or $450,000 for an Irrigation project
or so much money for topographical
and other surveys by the state en
gineer it is up to them through the
legislature or by direct vote to say so.
Such matters rest entirely upon the
shoulders of the people, but the mon
ey which is to be spent, and public
land matters generally, are entitled
to the efficient handling that would
be possible with a reorganization as
suggested.
On the other hand by relieving the
state board of these duties, the gov
ernor, the secretary of state and the
state treasurer would have much mors
time for closer supervision of state
institutions, where millions of dollars
are being spent, and for the general
work of their offices,
The suggestion has been made vthat
the state land board should be In
eluded in the above consolidation, but
It Is not likely that the peoplo of th
state ever would approve of any tamp.
erlng with that board, which Is tin
only board created by the state con
stitution. This board was created es
pecially to be custodian and guardian
of the state school funds, which now
amount to more than $8,000,000, loaned
out on farm mortgages at 6 per cent
interest for the benefit of the schools.
"Its duties include the selection and
sale of all "state lands, the collection
of moneys therefrom, the loaning of
the funds and collection of interest,
and the annual distribution of the in
terest to the varloua school districts of
the state.
The members of the board are the
governor, secretary of state and state
treasurer, the three principal officevi
of the state, and It is not probable
that the voters, who have a right to
be jealous of any move affecting in
anv wav . the common school fund,
would sanction any change.
For the sake of economy the office
of state labor commissioner should be
abolished, and the duties of that of
flee should be added to trie industrial
accident commissioner by a law that
would harmonize them as nearly aa
possible with the work of the com
mission
The labor commissioner has an ap
proprlation of $8000 for the biennial
period, and in addition his department
collects fees for inspection of manu
facturlng plants and establishments,
which pay the salaries and expenses
of the inspectors and all the employes
in the labor commissioner's office.
One of the principles behind the
wprkmen's compensation law Is to pro
vide safety first for employes In haz
ardoua industries, and to compensate
them without the necessity of litiga
tlon in the event they are Injured.
To carry into effect the safety first
principle will require Inspection of
various establishments. There will be
no need for this inspection to be done
by the commission and also by the
labor commissioner. At present the
law allows the labor commissioner to
charge for Inspection fees that nearly
all plant owners declare are exorbitant
for the amount of time put in by the
inspectors. This arouses resentment
against the law.
S atlas Would Overlap.
' On the other hand the Inspection by
the Industrial accident commission
probably will be done by the auditors.
men sent out to. check up employers'
payrolls, so the Inspection fee could
be made nominal, or commensurate
with the services performed.
The prlnclplea of the employers' lia
bility law are more or leaa antagonistic
to the principles of the workmen's
compensation law, but the employers'
liability law is tied Into the compensa
tion law anyway, in the body of the
act as It now exists, the industrial ac
cident commission could harmonize the
two to a greater extent .than could b
done by two departments. The other
duties of the state labor commissioner
could be easily handled by the com
mission.
Suggestions have been made that
the Industrial welfare commission and
the board- of child labor commission
should also be -consolidated with the
industrial accident commission, but so
far no one baa offered any argument
to show the economy of euch a move.
There could be but little economy, and
certainly there would be a loss of ef
flclency. These two commissions might
be consolidated themselves, but thev
should not oe shuffled onto the indus
trial accident commission or any other
dtnct character of large iraport-
ance to thousands of employes as well
as large employers, and should not be
mixed In . with the work of another
oommlsaloa. Xhe appropriations for
RODMAN WANAMAKER HOPES TO SEND
AEROPLANE ACROSS ATLANTIC OCEAN
rA& 4 V' ';ti -r.: - v,-.v- v-I
7ifJ
lr7W 7 H "WXV- -Vp;W-VvV i
v, Ieft to right Rodman
Philadelphia. Pa., May 2. It is '
related that Isabella, Queen of Spain,
finding her hUBband parsimonious,
pawned her Jewels in order to assure
the Bailing or the Atlantic ocean by
Christopher Columbus. So - when a
quiet but impressive young American
merchant called Glenn Curtiss, the
aviator, aside a few days ago and
said: "Glenn, we aren't going to ive
this up until we fly across," it waa
to be expected that the speaker was
ready to go to any length in borrow
ing money to finance a Transatlantic
aeroplane trip.
"He can get a loan from his dad.
many might remark. But let It be said
right here that Philadelphia people
will tell you Rodman Wanamaker is a
much wealthier man than his father.
Also, before asking a loan from dad
to pay for his flying machines, Rod
man might raise some money on his
life Insurance He has $4,600,000
worth, which is more than any other
mortal, and he adds to it quite often.
"Rodman Wanamaker, son of John
Wanamaker," is the way he always
appears in print; and as he admires
his merchant prince father immensely,
he does not complain. But the younger
Wanamaker, who is now the only son,
would have gained an eminent posi
tion in American affairs without the
boost which his name gave him. Be
sides establishing the Wanamaker
Paris branch and later running the
New York store, he has made so many
amazingly lucky investments that the
fortune he will inherit some day will
be only an item in his ample means.
A 'Transatlantic' Enthoslaat. -
Rodman Wanamaker enters the
Transatlantic crossing arena with all
the enthusiasm of Queen Isabella and
with much better credit.
Lord Northcllffe, Great Britain's
leading publisher, has offered a $50,000
prize for the first crossing of the big
pond by aeroplane, so Mr. Wanamaker
has a chance to recoup part or tne
fortune he may have to place at the
disposal of the Ingenious Mr. Curtiss.
And he can collect a further $5000
from Mrs. Victoria Woodhull Martin,
an English flying patron.
When the Wanamaker-Curtiss flyer
swoops off a Newfoundland cliff next
August with her eight cylinder. 200
horsepower engine chug-chugging and
Lieutenant Porte or some other hardy
navigator of the pathless upper air
at the wheel, there will be $55,000 sit
these two commlssfbnds aggregate only
$12,000 and the members of the com
missions do riot receive salaries.
The educational and biological de
partment of the state fish and game
commission is largely a luxury. The
budget for 10 months of this year calls
for approximately $20,000. Tms money
is derived from fees collected by the
fish and game department, dui u. in
taxpayers are looking for economy
there is an opportunity here to save
over $20,000 a year by abolishing this
branch of-work and turning the money
into the general fund.
There is room for trimming the pay
roll In connection with the supreme
court, where the employes are highly
paid and have but mue wont io w
cupy their tune.
About Attorney General.
In the attorney general's office the
time of assistants and stenographers
is largely taken with answering let
ters and rendering opinions for every
Tom, Dick and Harry who want a set
tlement of a controversy over a bound
ary line fence, or want to know if- a
land title la gooa. uomparauveiy ui
tle of the time of the attorney general
and his force is occupied with the
duties imposed upon the office by law.
For the sake of efficiency the work
Of the office should be confined to that
intended under the law; if not, then
for the sake of economy the force
should be reduced. The appropriation
for the department for this biennial
period is $26,660.
There are a number of other boards
and commissions that are attracting
the attention of persons who are ac
claiming against the cost of state gov
ernment, but those who expect to ac
complish a big saving by wholesale
consolidation are going to be disap
pointed. If the -work is to be done at
all it will require a given number of
people to do it. regardless of the name
of the board Which baa supervision of
it. And each branch of work would
;
Wanamaker, Glenn Curtiss, Lord
ting on the west coast of Ireland and
beckoning to the steel bird.
Aeroplanes have long been one of
Mr. Wanamaker' a hobbies. But. he has
many others life insurance, automo
biles, yachts, fine paintings, and the
American Indian. This last should
stand at the top of the list.
He decided that the noble aborigine
should have a great national memorial
at Fort Tompkins, State n Island, the
highest point of land overlooking New
York harbor.
Wanamaker and the India.
To convince oongresa that money
should be appropriated for this-purpose
he set up and conducted an Indian ex
hibition in Washington. Few mem
bers of congress after seeing the
things which Mr. Wanamaker and his
friend. Buffalo Bill, displayed, failed
to lose their objections to the monu
ment project. Mr. Wanamaker won
his fight and was made head of the
committee to select aVdeslgn and erect
the statute. Last, year 32 Indian chiefs
paid reverence to the Stars and Stripes
at the laying of the cornerstone. Some
of them had fought the white men,
killed and massacred them through
many years. One carried 23 bullets in
his body.
Seeing their enthusiasm for the flag.
Mr. Wanamaker conceived the idea -of
carrying -the message of the great
sculptored Indian which will stand be
side the Statue of Liberty to all the 169
tribes governed by Uncle Sam. He
organized an expedition of citizenship.
This expedition found many difficul
ties. In a corner of New Mexico was
discovered a highly intelligent tribe
which had never seen or heard of the
flag. Sometlrfies the members of the
expedition had to argue long with the
Indians before persuading them that
the white men were no longer their
enemies.
They had to travel 25,000 miles,
much of this by stage and horseback.
But they did pot give up until every
little nation had received its big red.
white and blue flag of fine material,
had ' hauled up and unfurled the em
blem, and had sworn allegiance to the
great white- .father.
Another Pet Project.
Another of Mr. Wanamaker's pet
projects is the American Art associa
tion in Paris. After he had been
graduated from Princeton university,
Mr. Wanamaker went abroad fo look
after his father's Interests in the
French capital. He lived there so
have to have some scjrt of a head, the
same as now.
It roust be remembered that the state
has grown, and that state affairs have
grown' with it, and If material reduc
tions are to be made In the coat of
state business sonfe of the work will
have, to be abolished entirely.
There is the bureau of mines and
geology, spending $20,000 a year for
research and exploration work. If the
taxpayers doit want to pay for that
sort of work, it should be abolished,
but the point is that there ls no use
of deluding one's' self by shouting to
consolidate It with some other depart
ment as a means of cutting down ex
penses. In making consolidations the ques-
tion of efficiency should be the dom
inate note, and if efficiency ls ob
tained the state will get the worth of
the money it expends. )
Ready for Enemies.
From Lipplncott's.
Ellen, Mrs. B.'s cook, r had Invested
several months' savings In an elabor
ate, Easter hat and gown,' and had se
lected her afternoon off aa the day in
Tobacco Habit
Easily Conquered
A welf known New Yorker of wide
experience, has written a book telling
how the- tobacco or snuff habit may be
easily and completely banished In three
days with delightful benefit.
The health improves wonderfully
after the nicotine poison ia out of the
system. Calmness, tranquil sleep, clear
eyes, normal appetite, good digestion,
manly vigor, strong memory and a
general train in efficiency are amonar
the many benefits, reported. No more
of that nervous feeling; no more need
of pipe, cigar cigarette or chewing to
bacco to pacify the morbid desire. The
author, Edw. J. Woods.- 5?4 Sixth Ave.,
62-G.. New York City, will mall his
book free to those interested. Adv,
Northcllffe.
many years that he was even accused,
but wrongfully, of liking French "Ufa
better than American. He became much
interested in the struggles of youn
artistic geniuses from across the
water. He knew of cases where they
had lived in garrets, starved, grown
melancholy and even taken their own
lives for lack of a friend and cheerful
surroundings.
The American Art association had
started in humble quarters and had
done a great work in bringing together
the poor young students. Mr. Wana
maker) established the organization In
its present commodious quarters, paid
the salary of an excellent ohef, and
gave a fixed sum every year for gen
eral expenses. The downcast young
dauber can now wander into these
cheery quarters, eat a fine meal for a
small price, and, what is more, find
a good word from home. English and
French art students take advantage
aa well.
At the salons, too, Mr. Wanamaker
was a familiar figure. He. bought pic
tures by unknown artists In large num
bers. From the salon of 1903 he ob
tained more than 400 canvases. These
he shipped to America.
In London, Mr. Wanamaker la also
well known. He rented the big place
called Taplow court, on the bank of
the Thames, last year, from the Des
borough family.
Honored by France.
Mr. Wanamaker was mentioned at
one time as a possible ambassador to
France. He is now about 45 years old.
It is quite certain that the American
people will grant him signal honor
some day. The French government
did so many years ago. Not .only for
his work In making the life of the
Paris art students brighter, but for
Important labor in bringing the "United
States and France more closely to
gether commercially, he was made a
chevalier of the Legion of Honor in
1897, and 10 years later President Fal
lieres named him an officer in this
distinguished body.
Mr. Wanamaker is a resident of New
York, but he is much interested in
Philadelphia. Recently he gave $50,000
to that city for the benefit of muni
cipal employes Who were injured in
the discharge of their duty. In New
York he recently gave a fine trophy to
the New York public school athletic
league. His interest in Aeroplanes
dates back at least to 1309, when he
purchased a Blerlot.
which she should burst forth in all
her glory.
Having carefully arrayed herself
and longing for admiration, Ellen made
an excuse to go into her mistress
presence, and waited for a compliment
Knowing what was expected, Mrs. B.
exclaimed:
"Why, Ellen, how splendid you are
In your new hat. and gown! I hope
you will meet all your friends this af
ternoon, so that they may eee your
rine ciotnes.
EUeft smiled graciously at the com
pliment, but tossed her head at the
suggestion.
"Me friends, mum. What'll I be
wantln' to see thim for 7" she asked.
scornfully. "Sure, I don't care to make
me friends Jealous. It's me enemies I
want to meet whin I'm dressed up!"
Plenty of Inclination.
Mrs. Van Alen Thompson, whose
entry into the country gave her much
difficulty with the customs officials,
was recounting her experiences to
few friends in Boston. She said:
"It was all very unpleasant, but ffbt
the least unpleasant part was the at
titude of the customs officials. I hope
they don't Intend to be as rude as they
appear to the returning traveler.
"But," continued Mrs. Thompson
philosophically, "I suppose it would be
difficult to be popular as a customs
inspector. Everybody dislikes these
poor men. Everybody feels toward
them like the old skipper.
"This, skipper, after undergoing sev
oral hours . of suepicioua cross-ques
tioning from two inspectors regarding
his cargo, was at last leaving the
wharf when a young official, unaware
of his previous grilling, accosted him.
"'Have' you anything to declare.
sir?: he demanded sharply.
"Furious, the old . skipper stared at
the young man and shouted:
'"es, young man, I've a good deal
to declare, but I'd be ashamed to say
H before boy like' yotu,; You're "too
young to hear what I would like to
declare 1' " .
OMMEkCIaL
BODE
HEAR
OF :
A. H. Guiid Discusses New
Method of Realty Apprais
al Being Installed Here.
VALUES ARE EQUALIZED
Baala of Ida Xa TJnit root, Conalatina;
of Strip One by Ob Kuxv
drad Peet In Biz.
In an addresa at the noon hour yes
terday before the fficlala of the Com
mercial club, Realty Board, Ad club,
Rotary club and Progressive Business
Men's club and a large number of the
membership of those organizations,
Arthur H. Guild discussed the Somera
system of realty annraisal. Mr. Guild.
who is vice-president of the company
now installing the Somers . system in
this county, delivered the address upon
tne invitation of the board of govern
ors of the Commercial club. He said
in pact as follows:
"No one "will denv that a-enerallv
throughout this country there ia a sit
uation or unspeakable inequity In as
sessments, and that many property
owners are unjustly burdened with
more than their share of the taxes,
because of this inequity.
Inequity of Old System.
"I do ot know of any reliable sta
tistics which shew the exact amount
of money levied annually in the Unit
ed States for taxes upon real estate,
but there is a general reason to be
lieve that it will now approximate a
billion dollars. But If the total is but
one-half that large sum, the robbery
or some owners by proportionate over
assessment, which results to the ben
efit of others ls an inexcusable wrong.
That is, those property owners whose
real estate ls assessed proportionately
higher are compelled, by the imperfect
administration of the assessment laws.
to pay more than their share of taxea-4
while those whose properties are as
sessed at proportionately lower values,
escape their full share.
"The theory that taxes should be
levied on the basis of true values of
all property is violated everywhere
because no adequate method of eaui
table appraisal is prescribed by the
statutes, and none ls used by the as
sessing officials. It is this situation
that the Somera system ia designed to
correct.
"The Somera system of realty valu
ation is a method by the use of which
the assessments of real estate can be
equalized.
"I do not believe that any appre
ciable amount of these inequalities ex
ists Decause or aisnonest assessors.
for my experience has been that the
assessor is. as a rule, doing his bent
with the means at hand, and that his
Inefficiency results from the lack of
any equitable standards for the meas
urement and comparison of real prop-
rty values.
arlona Influences Appraised.
"With the Somera system the asses
sor is given a way by which he can
appraise the various influences that
make the value of individual Darcela '
of land and buildings. In every city I
site there are at least three factors
of value. The effect .of these three
factors in combination make? the
value of the particular site under con
sideration. These three factors are
size, location and shape. Owing to
the multiplicity of sizes and Shanes
of lots In any city, it is manifestly
impossible for the assessor to make
intelligent comparisons, even when tho
values are known.
Under tho Somers system we elim-
nate the consideration of two of these
factors in the mental operation of ex
pressing value size and shape. This
makes it necessary to consider only
the factor "of location and to exnress
this factor in some definite term.
Every one will agree that the factor
of location is the most important one
of the three. We express this factor
by obtaining the value of a strip of
land one foot wide by 100 feet deep in
the middle of the block. This we call
a unit-foot and by it we express the
street influence.
Unit Toot Is "Yard Stick."
The unit-foot ia the Somers system
yardstick or unit of quantity. It ex
presses the usefulness of the block
frontage due to the single element of
accessibility or . street influence.
'It has been an accepted fact for
many years by students of the subject
that there ls a mathematical relation
between the values of all sites af
fected by the same street influences.
This mathematical relation has often
been expressed in the form of per
centage tables, showing the percentage
of value of the different depths from
the street of some definite size lot.
The most widely known of these la the
table that waa prepared by a New York
real estate dealer, called the Hoffman-
Neil rule.
Mr. Somera prepared hia table
after years of aystematic study cover
ing investigations of many thousands
of situations in many cities. With
this table of percentages, Mr. Somers
perfected his system. The system con
slats of mathematical formulae and
mechanical devices for using this law
of constant effect of depth on the
value of city sites.
Tentative Tallies round.
The first act of the assessor in
the installation of the Somers system
is to prepare a map of the central
business district of his city. The rea
son for starting in this district is only
because it ls there that there ls al
ways the greatest Interest in values.
By consultations with real estate men
and others, he tentatively determines
the value of a Somers unit foot upon
each of the block frontages in the
district and uses these tentative values
as the basis for public discussions, in
which all citizens are Invited to par
ticipate. The consensus of opinion
which is, under this plan, obtained
from the community, is a wen-nigh
infallable guide to relatively correct
assessments.
"But little accurate Information can
be gained from property owners when
only the value of individual lots is dis
cussed, but when citizens begin to talk
about street value they can and will
talk intelligently,
There are -few people In any com
munity that with a map of the cen
tral business district before Ahem
cannot tell which bloc frontage la
the most desirable. This plan is xol
lowed by districts throughout the
city.
"When the value of a unit-foot has
been determined on each of the four
sides of a block the value of each lot
ls then computed by th Somers ta
bles. The lots coming within that
part of the block which has but on,
street accessibility are computed by
or. noraiiv K.
-i .i .
mors thuo uwu- wm m me cenwr
k..veir .w.
1., . ' ' . .. .
called corner Influence. All lots with
EXPLANAnON
SOMERS
SYSTEM
la this corner Influence- are computed
by the Somera corner tables.
. Center Za Diagrammed.
In computing the values of -th-i
lots by these tables lot 100x100 feet
at the corner ls diagrammed" and ts
subdivided into 1 00 squares each 1 Ox
10 feet. Any lot coming within the
100x1 00" feet is drawn on the, diagram
In its exact location. The tables show
the value of each- of these 10-foot
squares for every combination of
units, so that any chansre. however
slight, in the slse, shape of a lot or
its relation to the streets forming
the corner, will, upon computation,
show a difference In value In aa ex
act mathematical ratio. There are
variations in the tables to apply.
to retail, wholesale and residential
properties.
'The Homers system does not at
any time usurp the functions ot tht
assessor, who la charged with the re
sponsibility for the assessment. It
is an aid to him in arriving at fair
comparative values for assessment
purposes. The methods for uniformly
appraising buildings in connection
with the Somers system are similar
to the land value analysis. The first
thing Is to find out Just what 'kind
of a structure a building is, and the
method pursued is that of transcrib
ing upon specially prepared cards
the complete descriptions and meas
urements of all buildings In the city.
Most of the' buildings in a city can
be included within five or six class
ifications as to ther general type ot
constructor
"Aa buildings are appraised at the
approximate cost of reproduction by
tne use of units per sauare toot of
floor space.
These units are based upon the
present cost of material and labor.
From the value thus determined.
depreciation Is deducted for age, for
mechanical deterioration, for obsoles
cence and for lack of utility, upon
uniform schedules - which Insure equity
to each property owner.
Xastem Cities Use System.
The Somers system Tias been In
stalled in about 20 eastern and south
ern- cities. Including Cleveland and
Columbus. Ohio, Springfield. 111.. Den
ver, Houston and Galveston and Au
gusta, Ga.
Work of Installing the system was
begun in Portland about two montis
ago. Up to date about 20,000 houses
have 'been measured and 15,000 lots
calculated. The monthly payroll is
about $3000. With the exception of
Mr. Guild, who haa charge ot the
work, and James Buchanan. the
building expert, both of whom are
eastern men. th entire force en
gaged in putting In the system is
composed of local men more than
$2500 of the $3000 monthly payroll
being disbursed among Portland
people.
Indiana Esteem Rangers.
From the Washington Post.
Representative "Alfalfa Bill" Mur
ray of Oklahoma, In a speech In the
house regaled members with an Indi
an's estimate of the prowess of a
Texas ranger.
"In the early seventies and eighties,"
said Murray, "when the Comanche In
dians swooped down on Texas and
robbed, scalped and murdered people,
tht- Texas rangers promptly ran them
out. After peace was restored an In
dian went to the Indian agent at Ana
dark a, and said:
" 'I I want a rifle.'
'The agent said to him: 'You cannot
have It; you might shoot a aoldler
with it.
'The Indian replied
"No, I do not
want It to shoot a aoldler. We k!Tt
soldier with atlck; I want rifle to
shoot Texas ranger with.' "
Journal Want Ads bring results.
"Marie" writes: "I would like a rem
edy for a pimply, oily skin. I suffer
from constipation, headache and indi
gestion." Answer: Get from your druggist 3-
f raln sulpherb tablets and take accord
rig to directions.- These tablets are
packed in sealed tubes and contain full
directions for using. I have found them
to be the most reliable in such ail
ments as arise from constipation. They
are made of sulphur, cream of tartar
and herb medicines, and if taken regu
larly will relieve your constipation
and purify the blood, thus causing your
skin to become clear. These are fine
for children, as they do not sicken.
"Marv" You can easily correct your
little girl of bedwettlng by mixing 1
oz. of comp. fluid Daimwort, a arams
linciure rnus-nromaiic sinu x urun
tincture . cubebs. Mix thoroughly and
give- in water about one hour .before
each meal, 10 to 15 drops.
Mr C P. writes: "What Should I do
to relieve a severe case of kidney and
bladder disease? Urine Is dark, foul of
odor, and nassare is Irregular, pain
ful, etc. Have depression, fever, chllla.
pains like rneutnatisra, ana soreness
in region of bladder X'.
describe, ! prescribe my favorite for
mula under the name ot oaimwort tan
lets. This is a-splendidly efficacious
remedy for such abnormal conditions.
Begin their use at once as per direc
tions on each sealed tube.
"C. G. 0." Vrites: "I am constantlH
hawking aund spitting on account of
a bad case of catarrh and would like
your advice to overcome it. . . .
. Answer: I always prescribe antisep
tic vilane powder, which you can ob
tain in either a 2 or 8 ounce tox with
full directions. Tne results, piease ail
who try it 1
"Saoie" says: "I misplaced the pre
scription you sent me for dandruff
and itching scalp Will you please
send it again?" f . '.
Answer: There is ntbing better for
dandruff and Itching scalp than plain
yellow minyol, which ia sold in' 4 ox.
jars at any well stocked- drug store.
Use this according to directions and
you will soon be relieved of. all dis
eases of the hair and scalp.
"Nina R." writes! "Pleas advise'
me what to take to overcome extreme
thinness. My arms and bust hare no
development and my face is so thin
that it is positively homely, although
mv features are regular."? - .
I my features are regular. ,
I Answer: Many ladles would b rmiVh
i : i...ni i k.
1 ore. beautiful if they were somewhat
1 riesnir, ana as an increases weight is
- j possible it la the duty of every woman
EX-SPANISH AMERICAN
WAR VETERAN BURIED
William Curtis Spencr.
i
The funeral of William Spencer Cur
tla, ex-Spanish American war veteran
and for several months a second lieu
tenant on Colonel Gantenbein's staff,
3rd infantry O. N. G., was held Frl
day afternoon from Finley's chapel
and the body interred with full mill"
tary honors in the veterans' piot in
Riverview cemetery.
Mr. Curtis was the son if E. D.
Curtis, principal of the Sunnyslde
schiol. Death was due to spinal
trouble, which was caused by an ac
cident while he was serving "his coon
try in tho Philippines as a corporal in
the Second Oregon volunteers. .He fell
while he was in command If a squad -which
was repairing a. railroad track
the natives had wrecked.
Since that time he had not been
well and was subject to numerous
fainting spells.
Mr. Curtis was 34 years of age and
was a native of Oregon. He had lived
most of his-llfe in Portland and had
numerous friends, He is survived bjf
his parents and three brothers.
Erasure Feared.
From Onward. . '
"8-8-K-s-sus-xay, n:tt," stammered
Bobby, through the suds, as his mother
scrubbed and scrubbed him, "I guess
you want to get rid o' mc. don't ytjti?'
f . "Why, no. Hobby, dear," replied his
mother. "Whatever put such an idea
into your mind?" " , ., .
"Oh. nutbln." " said Bobby, "only It
seems to mo you're tryln' to rub me
out."
The questions answered bolow are
general in character, the symptoms
diseases are slvcn and the- answers wl.lt
apply to any caso of similar nature.
II rv r 111
'"7
'v -
k U I
- : ' v I
i I .1
! x,:f' y :
U. t" ' I -
m aSSWassV aflBa,
inose wiamng runner aavice. i
may address r. T.awiu Baker, 'Collew
Bldg.. College-Elwood Sts., Dayton. O.
enclosing self addressed stamped ern
velope for reply. Full name and d
dres must be given, nut only initials
or fictitious ncme wIM be ustd In -tny .'
answers. The prescriptions can be
filled at anv well-stocked drug store.
Any druggist can order of wholesaler.
to be always at her best. Begin tak
ing three grain hypo-nuclane tablets,
which are obtained In sealed cartons .
with directions, and continue until your .
weight ls satisfactory. Frequently a
two months' treatment adds 15 to 30 '
pounds, besides adding more color .tj
the cheeks and lips and a sparkle ot
health to the eyes.
"Mrs. O." writes: - "Kindly publish,
again the prescription for rheumatism
which you gave to Ted' some time
ago."
Answer: I shall be very glad to re
peat the formula.- Get at the drug
store the following Ingredients and mix
yourself, taking a teaspoonful at meal .
times and at bedtime. Iodide of pota-
Slum, 2 drams, sodinm salicylate, 4)
drams; wine of oolehlcum, one half os.;
comp. essence cardlol, 1 os.; comp. fluid
balmwort. 1 os.; and syrup sarsaparllla,
B ozs. This 1m my favorite Drascrin-'O
tlon for rheumatism.
Charlotte" writes: "Some time as-A 1
yon answered through your columns -
telling Marie now 10 cure osa cousa
and cold. Will you kindly repeat the
formula?"
Answer: I shall be very glad to re .
peat tbe formula for you. Get from .
your aruggiat a oz. package or es
sence mentho - laxene and mix with
boney or home made sugar syrup and
take aecrodimr to, directions given on
the bottle. This is. a very mild lara
tlve and will surely overcome your
cold in a few days at most. It Is
absolutely harmless and very pleasant
to tea.
"P. B." writes: "What cart you pre- .
scribe to relieve dyspepsia, which an
novs me very much? I have pains and .
Lheavy lumpilke feeling after eating.
sour. risings, nausea, etc.- ..j, ,-
Answer: A three-course treatment,'
triopeptine tablets, ls very effective
in relieving and permanently overcom- v
lng stomach distress due to indiges
tion.
"John W." writes: "Being past mid
dle age and observing that my nervous .
system is In bad shape, I write for-a
prescription. I do not gain strength
from my ood, am weak, listless, for- "
getful, sleepless at times, tired, and'
unable to act tbe part ot a strong man .
of health, such as l was at one time,;,
Answer:, Get from a well stocked -pharmacy
a sealed tube of S grain
cadomene tablets, which are especially ?
made for those needing a strong, harm :
less,- rejuvenating tonic. Astonishing
and pleasing results follow and lif
and hope are renewed. -
"Mrs. De V." asks: "I should like V ,
ask you how one can reduce the weighty .
I am too large, and last summer sur- -fered
on account of excessive fat. Can
you advise a remedy, harmless and '
safer' . r". ;-'
Answer: I have frequently prescribed '
a liquid remedy, but, owing to its d4s
agreeable taste. I am now prescribing .
the same formula in a tablet form, le
is called s-grain arooione taoiets ana
Is sold by druggists in sealed . tubes
with full directions for home use. 1 .
advise anyone who is too. fleshy to tff
thia excellent tablet. - - - .
. r
.1
s