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About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1917)
THE- OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND. SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 21, 1917. NQUIRY NO OF PROMISES SENSATION Early Developments Indicate That Lives of the Victims Might Have Been Saved. BUILDING WAS FIRE TRAP Marshal Stevens Declares law Cover, tag- Xscape, Tight and Other Ssft . tr Devices Was Ignored, Peculiar Circumstances In connec tion with the fire in the New Ross hotel. 1894 Third street, In which three men lost their Uvea early yes terday morning-, are to be the subject of a thorough investigation by Fire Marshal Jay W. Stevens and Deputy District Attorney Roblson. They re fuse o detail at present what they consider peculiar circumstances, how ever, i Every person who was in the house when it burned and who could be found yesterday was brought before Fire Marshal Stevens, Captains Grcee ana Roberts of the "arson squad" and Deputy District Attorney Roblson, and closely questioned. mrs. morns, tne landlady, was ques tioned in the afternoon but no lnfor mation as to how the fire started could be secured from her. She declared sh naa.no idea a to what caused tne fire. The investigation will be con tinued, even today. In an effort to de termine the real cause of the fire, BtOMinr Veritable rire Trap. tire Marshal Stevens went through Dunaing again yesterday after- CAUSE I DISREGARD OF Fl RE LAWS CONTRI BUTES TO TH REE DEATH s nflNFl ARRATIflN L 1 ' ' mmunwm nmmmmMm$immH " ' wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm iiuj UU 111 IJ I U 1 11 I I I U I 1 II B XK'M"''tm'iX.m,'"m,J'n' mJyir trtt VfKV 3XV'?-'rmvw! rmmmmmmmmmmmmmm- 8 f 111 " w mwii m l iW WW ,'lMM'tji in"imn mm ji I trA tM fe1 f i? wd c " 5 m & ' II . . : ;S li fl L W &s''"r ;;;; !& S! 't; Jl: f d V.t- T--V t c 'f f j:tilL iuj 'j'" rr,,aa,,i,Crw-,,l,t, ,, i,,. J the noon and declared that the structure wa' a fire trap. He reiterated his statements that failure of the owners CI tne structure to cnmnlv with h law concerning the Installation of fire escape light at the hall ends leading to the fire escapes, and half-glass joors 10 tne rooms leading to the hall, contributed to the death of the three men. The owners had been warnea several times of the law viola tions. Stevens found that not a single room had an entrance directly to th main hall on the second floor. The building was two former dwellings Joined -together In the middle and each had separate halls with a single open ing from each hall to the main hall, which had stairs leading to the street. Entrance to some of the rooms could lie had only by going through other rooms. Location of Escapes Unknown. Stevens also pointed out the near ness of fire escape on the front of the building to the spot where the 1-odies of Taylor Washburn and Ernest ... .(uhIUl or Marquette, were lounu near the head of the stairs. It I'fiieieu i nai both men could have Rotten out to tho fire escape had they known its location. The law requires that red lights marked "fire escape" he plared at the end of the halla lead t'lgto tin fire escapes, but .Stevens tlmt Midi lights were absent in ii,t biiildi"K .Stevens declares that th. turn could have seen a warning light. lml Uiirn ben one in the hall, bitd then could have stepped only a fcT f'St and their lives would have Uwn saved. Stevens declares violations of the law of this same character exist in"a , number of Iho lodging houses of the city. io says that in a number of the buildings the managers are In the habit of turning off the fire-escape lights after 2 o'clock In the morning, hoping to save a few cents In the cost of electricity. II any Violation Are Voted. "Within tho last 60 days, our offlca had 40 men detailed to find these vio lations." said Stevens last night. "The men went Into buildings early In the morning before daybreak and found many cases where the landlords' or managers had turned off tho fire es cape lights leaving only one or two lights burning in the halls. In all cases notice was served on them that further violations would not be toler ated. "In cam of this fire. I A- Acker- man, ono of the owners, was notified In writing that the law was being vio lated in regard to the installation of fire escape lights and half-glass doom leading to the halls and later upon Mr. Ackerman's death, Mark Schlu seL the agent, was notified. "We had the matter up with Mr. Schlussel not later than Friday morn ing and he informed us that he could take no action until he got word from the Ackerman heirs. Second Bundle Day By Parent-Teachers Peace and Plenty Club Loves Work The Boys Bare Been Assigned a Boom Where Thej Shine Shoe and Take Orders fox Bird Home. Members of the Peace and Plenty club of Kenton have gone Into busi ness. They have discovered it Is more fun to work than to play. This club which was organised by Mrs. II. M. Bransford some months ago for the purpose of keeping Its mem bers out of mischief and directing Into proper channels their surplus energy, has grown In Interest and usefulness until now a "number of the boys, hav ing saved their nickels and dimes that In former days were not only spent as fast as they came but were not always well spent, have been savins; with a view to going Into business. A vacant room has been placed at the disposal of the youthful financiers and they are now ready for business and will rive you the best shine in the city for five cents. They will also take orders for bird houses, small boats and other things learned in the manual training department of the public schools. On special day there will be on sale, cakes, cookies and candles, for cookery Js one of the things they have been taught and nave mastered a number of dishes and gained some knowledge along the lines of first mm m w ' RC (l'ftMVSItfll -it . tlfiVar in BODES VICTIMS OF OF YESTERDAY'S HRE ARE ALL IDENTIFIED Inquest Will Be Held Tues day to Attempt to Fix Re sponsibility for Deaths, CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN dt when news of the death was re-i tin roof below. . : - :i reived, statins that she supposed he . The fire was discovered by Patrolf had gone on to Kelso, The Wash- man L J. Helms, who with, Poltas) -burns stopped at the Bushroark hotel. Sergeant Bnnn and a squad of half., where they vers registered as being a dosen other officers, assisted In from Eugene. " .the rescue of the survivors. - - In an attempt to fix, the liability for The total loss was estimated - al the fire, the coroner last night an- about tK)0. of which a ortln is nounced that an Inquest would be held covered by insurance. The building Tuesday, and the date Is set that far was owned by the I A. Ackerman ahead In order that the rlre -raaranai estate, several business places un may complete his investigation and derneath the rooming house were ' have his evidence ready to submit. slightly damaged by water. Zaadlady States She Zs Unable to Otre Any Explanation maerals Axs Being Arranged. The firs In the New Ross house nre BecaUa Old Murder. stAnea snoruy Deiors o cjoca The New Ross rooming house was Cd eK.'JSi f Brown trunk: r w7 tiMu..u.v..i " ,mara,r Portland's first trunk speed. Tire of Vmkmews Origin. Two women and six men were The bodies of the three men who lost their lives In the fire that par tlslly destroyed the New Ross hotel. 1H Third street, early yesterday morning bad all been positively iden tified and tentatively claimed by rela tives last night at the public morgue and plans are under way for funerals while Deputy Coroner Smith makes ar rangements for an inquest, to be held Tuesday evening at the courthouse. The remains of Taylor Washburn, the Eugene rancher, wilt be taken to Oregon City today, and following serv ices at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, will be interred in Mountain View ceme tery. Relatives of Ernest F. Mar quardt called at the public morgue last night, but did not announce funeral plans. Marquardt leaves a sister in the city. Zjocats ZjOgma's Belattres. Relatives of Thomas Logan, the third man. wired from Davenport. Ia.. stating that he had considerable prop erty In California, and asked that he be burled here with funds from that estate. A brother was located at Dav enport. The coroner's office learned last night that Washburn's home was In Eugene, and that he and his wife wre on the way to Kelso. Wash. Mrs Washburn was greatly surprised to learn that her husband was still In the mjt- tery, as was stated by members of the fire bureau yesterday. In' That murder happened at 1S7 Third the hotel asleep and the cause of the street, north of the Ross hou. ac- ' deaths Is ascribed by the firs marshal cording to Mrs. Cella Iewls of the , to the faat that tne balls had no Eaton hotel, one of the owners of lights In them indicating the presence j the burned building. r'V of the fire escape a I The Brown murder took place iff The fire was of unknown origin. It 1 1112. The body was buried under the' started on the second floor and swept house but not deep enough but what , In fan shaped formation upwards and the odor of decay soon permeated th- ' towards the front of the old struc-. house. It was dug up and started ture. for the river In a hack. The team Mrs. Ida Morris, manager of the he. became frightened, dumped it out. on tel. and Helen Flint, a young domestic, ' the streets and It was with diffi escaped from the house In their night cuity gotten to the site of the Weld- clothing. They sat on a narrow ledge ler mill after daylight. Longshore Just below the second story windows , men working near saw It dumped Irt . until rescued by the firemen. ' the river and brought about the die - Frank Talbert. a motorman on Uielcovery ot the murder. it H . V. .1 n . . m It . ria viu ouuiu i ui na.uu una, was badly cut on the hand and leg as a re sult of breaking his way through a rear window when the fire drove Charles Ehlers. bis roommate, and himself from their quarters. Talbert I is in the Oood Samaritan hospital. ' Washburn slept in a front room on 1 -...,, . fl v c v the second floor, and one of his win- TVh'nsn. -!. N. S.)rt dows opened on the fire escape. In-! The coal mines of British Columbia stead of going out that way, he ran j produced I.eSO.OOO tons of coal durlnx lrto the hall when awakened and ran ,91g ..0,din to conulr reports' wm llinjujii iric nail uwru in British Columbia Coal Mines Grow Above, left to right New Ross hotel at 189 H Third street. In which three men lost their lives in a fire early Saturday morn ing; Fire Marshal Jay AV. Stevens, whose office had several times notified the owners and agent of the property that the regula tions relative to the proper location of fire escape lights, etc, were not being observed; corner of room on third floor In which Thomas Logan met his death by running Into a closet when a drop of a few feet from the window to an adjoining roof would have led to safety. Below Diagram shows where Ernest Marqnardt and Taylor Wash burn lost their lives when a light immediately adjoining the fire escape might have pointed the way to safety. stairway. Instead of turning east and stepping on the flre escape in the ball. Police Discover IHre. Marquardt ran from his room on the third floor, supposedly for the purpose of rescuing Mrs. Morris, for his body, as well as that of Wash burn, was found outside her door. Logan, a logger who had rented his room at 10 o'clock Friday night, when aroused by the fire, ran about the dark room In confusion appar ently, for his body was found lying in the door of a closet, his head re posing a few Inches from a window sill through which he might have dropped 10 feet In safety to a flat received at the department Of com-, meree. This figure compares with a production of 2.0S.(13 in HIS. ; The entlr. coal production of the dominion of Canada amounted to 14. :S.000 tons In 11. compared with 13.2(7.0:3 tons In 191. - ' RENT A GOOD PIANO That you will not be ashamed of. Rent applied toward purchase It desired. - Harold S. Gilbert The Reliable Wano Merchant SS4 TamhUl at. Mala SSTT, A-3284 Fourth and Last Week of Our Annual January January S9 will be the second bun dle day of the winter which the Port land Parent-Teacher Council Is ar-; ranging. All clothing collected on the first bundle day has long since been. -i tn tho in lured. They gather around table each witn his ravonie vow me or a cnuas educations cycio- j . given out to the sick and needy chil- t, dren and it is necessary to make thlsju becend call on the people of Portland.' Chocs are especially needed and warm underwear. Contributions may be taken to the clothes bureau of the council, corner Fourteenth and John oon streets, or they will be sent for, if addresses are telephoned to the Uunlclpal Employment bureau. pedla of world work and the way they pour over tne text, is surprising, mm. Bransford is always at hand to read aloud and to explain matters not quite clear. When writing to or 1Hng on advertisers, please mention The Jonrntl. (Adv.) TAXPAYERS' LEAGUE IS URGING WATER POWER DEVELOPMENT Appeals to Legislature to Memorialize Congress for Action to That End. PRESBYTERIAN CLUB HAS BECOMEPOPULAR ' t : II THREE HUNDRED SIGN 9 C- N i : m 1 WimJ ii:vM St y I It Is Educational in Nature and Four Courses Are Given During Term, MEN are interested in inter esting apparel first, in Quality; second, in Style; third, in Price. It's a most happy combina tion when these three essen tials are present in their cor- 1 1 neither expect nor desire to sell til thej clothes sold in Portland. 1 do desire, however, g to see thm sold by the merchants who sell g men's apparel only; that means more homes gin Portland a moie even distribution, of busi- -1 ness and a greater, more prosperous city ia I which to live. 2 1 ' -s' PffllHlimilimmMtimMMttmB1BBHllllllli'l rect proportion; especially in these days, when there is tempta tion to sacrifice the elements , of style and qual-, ity for profit. This store is seeking to en hance Quality ; to lead in Style, and to be just in Price. -Here are plentiful stocks of America's -best clothes I be lieve there is none better fair ly priced. I rely upon your good judgment to add its weight to my own. . LMonisonatRmrthO The Taxpayers' learue went on rec ord Saturday t urging In the strong est terms that the leglslaturo artopt the memorial coiling upon congress to take prompt nd efflclenc action for the development o.' the wateipcwcr of the nation and especially of tne wtst. It is the !,ellef of the Taxpayers' league, comp-ui-.l of 'many cf Port land's Influential business men anl property owners, that nation by the Oregon legislature in adopting and forwarding the memorial will be re sponelvely heeded by congress. The memorial makes no reference to any of the waterpower bills before con gress but urges waterpower develop ment "In order that natural resources may be utilised to create new wealth by the settlement of lands: to en courage the establishment of manu factures of varied nature and that the economy and comfort of rail facilities of transportation may be enhanced, the means of transportation enlarged and made cheaper, and that traffic con gestion may be relieved by opening to transportation waterways now incap able of use because of natural obstruc Hons which would be removed by waterpower development in navigable streams, and that adequate national defense may be aided. All of which It is set forth, will contribute to the Increase and diversification of agricul ture, commerce and Industry and as consequence promote economic se curity.' The memorial asks congress to act during Its present session by the adop tion or legislation necessarily prelim inary to waterpower development. Radio Service to Be Widely Extended Washington. Jan. 10. (I. N. S.) During 1917 the United States govern ment will extend Its system of wire less stations so that ro possession or section of the country will be isolated, according to the radio service or the navy department. From the great cen tral wireless station at Radio, Va., a suburb, of Washington, it will be pos sible to communicate almost instan taneously with a(l possessions of the United States, the experts of the radio service predict. Already there la. an extensive chain of wireless stations along both the At lantic and Pacific coasts. There are large stations In Alaska. Hswalt and the Philippine Islands. There are to be Improved and extended so that If. In time of war, telephone and tele graph and cable connection should be interrupted, the government still could keep In touch with all possessions through the medium of the- wireless. Galled a "Knocker," Sues -for $10,000 Bunbury. Pa, Jan. 20. (I, N. S. Alleging he was called "the biggest knocker" in the township. Jacob E. Lelsenring, a . resident of Ralpho township, and a forme? county com missioner, has - brought ' suit against Thomas Clark, a neighbor. In which be seeks to recover $10,900 for the Insult: Clark ! also v called him "a heat. ' Leisenrtnr says. The Monday Evening club, planned and set In motion by the First Pres- U J ICI ;UU(CU, lift! CAVWUA 1A j pectationa as to Its popularity and place In the community. Last Monday evening SIS persons signed up as present. The club Is educational In Its nature. there being four distinct courses. The first course Is In Shakespeare; the second, the poems of Matthew Arnold the third covers historical roots of the great war; the fourth Is a class In cur rent events. r. Boyd will give the first of two lectures on Athens, tbe first to be "Athens of the Past and Its. Slgnl flcance," and the following week the sequel, "The Athens of Today.' All persons wishing to give one evening a week - to serious study is welcome to register. Full Information will be given upon application at the church office, Main 2J3I. There Is no charge whatever connected with the club. The course of studies will con tinue through January, February and March. Army Would Enroll Women Aviators Washington. Jan. 20. (I. X. Si. A plan which can be depended upon to Interest many women on the Paci fic coast Is one providing for the en rollment of women aviators In the army avtatlon reserve corps. The plan is fathered by Lawrence Sperry, a young aviator of New York. He has interested Major General Leonard Wood In the plan and as a result Mrs. Waldo Pierce, an aviator, has been ; granted permission to fly at Gov- , ernors Island. The military purpose of the wom an s reserve corps would te tne ; watching for enemy aircraft In time of war, carrying information and do ing a score of useful things onty slightly less hasardous than actual air fighting which would be left to th men. Rear Admiral Peary and other prominent military and scienti fic men have Indorsed the plan, stat ing that the recent exploit of Miss Ruth Law has demonstrated the abil ity of women to handle aircraft. Eeceipts of Gold in U. S. Show Increase Washington. Jan. 20. (I. N. 8.) The1 mints and assay offices of the United States received during 11 gold amounting to S50S.08S.ts2, according to the treasury department. This repre sents a substantial Increase over re ceipts or ISIS, due principally to heavy Importations of foreign . bullion and coin. Silver acquired during thsear ltl amounted to SS.S4S.C4S representing an average price of SI cents an ounce for C.S4S.1C1 fine ounces. This supply of metal was either coined or converted Into bullion to be used as a part of the heavy gold re serve which stands back of the cur rency of tbe United States. Wbea writing to or esMsg ea e4vr1n. sase awatloa The JecroaL - t. (adf .) i : :' v -,;; -f, USA 200 Pairs of Sample Blankets Both Wool and Cotton at 65c Up to $7.95 a Pair An Actual Saving of OncFourth to OneThird On Every Pair Orey. Tan. While and Plflld Rlankets in Both Wool atvl Cotton and In all Hlsra and Weights tSome Sllghllv Boil ed on the Outside Fold Others More or Less Mul From Handling All Are Ks traordlnary Values at the Price Quoted for This Hal Profit by an Karly Selection. Come to This Sale and Pay One-Fourth to One Half Less Than Regular Prices on All Remnants, Odds and Ends and Short Lengths In the Domestic Section You Have Choice From Ginghams, Percale. Cotton Suitings, Lawns, Flannelette. SiU Mlxed Fabrics, Tea Cloths, Lunch Cloths, Tray Cloths, Huck Tow els, Damask Towels, Bureau Scarfs, Doilies, Napkins, etc., etc. Those who are wise will purchase for both present and future use. Not again for many a day will you meet with such a splen did opportunity for profitable buying of such goods. Pre-Ieventory Sate Women s Serge Dresses At$3.9S Regular Values to $7.95 Our regubr stock lines in the season's hl styles. Sizes 16 to to. In navy, brown or green. Veli-ni7t1e, perfect-fitting fir mer, ts. Women s Waists At S9c ? Regular Values to $1.25 Broken lines, including the mast popular styles. ith high or low neck and long sleeves.' Sizes 16 to 4 4 only. Pre-Inventory Price Reductions on Embroideries Embroideries to 25c at 10c Yard Fine Baby Sets and Edges Swiss and Cambric Skirtings Wide Gallon and Bands Beading Edges Ribbon Galloons and Beadlngs. Embroideries to 48c at 25c Yard Widths from to J7 Inches fine Batiste Nanlsook and Long Cloth Flouncings Skirtings Baby Floun cing and Corset Cover Embroideries. Embroideries to $1J50 at 77c Yard Peauttful 27 inch. hlgh-t;rsde Organdie and ftatls Kluunclnga In patterns suitable for patty and g-ad-uation dresses. All Sort of Laces to 75c at 25c Yard Included are 18 and 2 sr.ch Shadow Flouncing (iold and Silver Kdges on HilH Nets Venls and Net Top Edges S and 40 Inch Plain and Knotted Nets. Fur -Trimmings to Close at Half Price Our entire stock of Fcr Trimmings to close at half Coney. Opposum. Belver, Nutria. Mole, prc lncl"dd are all popular w'.d. b and styles liuusuit tval unit it Ion km. I re. r'c Pre-Inventory Sal of Women's and Misses' Shoes at $1.69 Pair Rofwlar VaW to $3.00 Broken lines. Including all sizes from 3 to 5V, and only desir able styles and reliable qualities. Most all come with low heels, pat ent vamp and mat kid top. Corset Sales The Greatest of All Choice From Such Well-Known Makes As R. eV C, HetxUrton and Merito Broken Lines aae! Dis- QFp continued Numbers, Regularly Sold to $2.00 Pair, at 7JL, In the assortment will be found a model to suit every figure and all sizes. Lines Selling RegmlaHy to $3.00 ia AjWv Makes Have Of M Bern Radaced for This Sale to the Special Pric of. Pair tPJ.e'&U This season's popular styles, with medium or low bust and the fashionable topless models. Many are shown In front-lace styles. The materials are batistes, brocades, light and heavy coutils, both in white and in rink. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. Remember the Advantages of First Choice "3 Store Opens at 8 :30 A. M. V Saturdays - at 9 A. M- w MORPSQK The Most in Value The Best in Quality Stores Closes atV5:30 P. M. Saturdays at 6 P. M. i: r