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
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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