VOL. XIV.. NO. 47. CITY EDITION
PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 11, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS, V V
NEUTRALS
GIVE
OF
1 IF DESIRED
Germany Said to Have For
warded Proposal to United
States to Feel Out Possi
bility of Avoicjing Conflict.
RECONSTRUCTION OF OLD
. TREATY IS REQUESTED
Swiss Minister, Acting for
Germany, Refuses to Give
Light on Subject.
By Robert J. Bender.
Washington, Feb. 10. (U. P.) Ger
many la feeling out the United State
aa to avoldabllity of war.
Neutral diplomats have notified the
late department that "they are anx
loua to do everything within their pow
er to straighten out the tangle" be
Affieen the United States and Germany.
These two facta stood forth boldly
tonight, one week after the breaking
off of diplomatic relations between the
United States and Germany.
That Germany will soon make, or
has already made, a secret proposal.
designed to forestall hostilities, was
the report from Teutonic-Swiss clr
cles.
. Government Officials Etnsplcious.
Government officials admitted they
had expected such a maneuver, but at
the aame time admitted that they did
not take kindly to the reported Ger
man move.
They said Germany was merely try
ing to becloud the Issue, swell the
pacifist ranks and block the hand of
President Wilson, should Germany's
ruthless submarine war demand ac
tion.
"Wa cannot consider any conference
while, Germany la sinking ships." wan
the exDressed semi-official viewpoint.
That ths neutrals had offered their
services toward peace was officially
revealed at the stats department late
this evening.
President Wilson' Is known to hav
rec-dtvedsome communication from the
fiwts mlhlster, 4urlnr ths week, bat
1 ts con ten t'Wrs tw s sal sjfttii y-m. f
Swiss Minister Denies Beport.
Th,stat department officially said
it knew nothing -of-any German pro
posals?" suggested they might have
been-irjade to President Wilson and
indicated they bad expected some move
--propagandist or sincere. The Swiss
minister, acting for Germany, at first
"would not 'confirm or deny," the re
ported German proposal; but after vis
iting ths state department late this
afternoon flatly denied the story.
Ths Swiss minister's visit followed
hurried departmental conferences, after
which every high official of the de
partment issued denials of any knowl
. edge ' of, the German overtures, more
than to say they had expected some
. such move would be started.
On the whole, the state department
regarded the plan as clever German
propaganda, which would be backed by
all pacifists in this country and tend
to tie Wilson's hands.
Communication Is Presented,
The Swiss minister. In his conference
just before 8 o'clock this-evening, did,
however, leave a communication from
Germany, asking that the Prussian
treaty of 1799 be reconstrUed.
Germany wants this reaffirmed, so
that cltlsens of Germany may remain
here nine months, unmolested. In case
'of war, while Americans may have the
same privileges in Germany.
One of the vital paragraphs of the
treaty, bearing on this subject, is:
, aterchania to Be Protected.
"if war "should arise between the
two contracting, parties, the merchants
of either country then residing in the
. ether shall be allowed to remain nine
months to collect their debts and set
tle their affairs and may depart free
ly, carrying all their effects with them
without molestation or hindrance."
it whs is permitted to stand, some
officials hold. Germany would have the
advantage, as her ditizens in Amer
ica, far more numerous than Ameri
cans in Germany, Could do business
without internement for nine months.
to the ultimate greater advantage of
uermany.
Kegarding the reported new Ger
, man proposal some officials said
, frankly that Germany may want to
put her case before the world, lay th
responsibility for her submarine cani-
' ttAln ...In itrun H . .,a.u.i,.n v-1
' ade Of .England and try to force thj
united mates to act against England.
Officials Indicate Attitude.
. This, officials say, is all beside the
point at prweni. in omciai allltuUs
was that Germany must show she
will conduct a war according to the
strictest letter -of international law.
They recalled, however, that earlier
in the week, the London wireless re
ported that Germany was "negotiat
ing" over possible modiifcation of her
U-boat warfare.
' Jt was noted too that Germany's -de
struction of tonnage has dwindled rap
Idly the past few days down about to
, 7400 tons in the Lloyd's report at the
state department today, or a drop f
more than 20,000 tons from reports &f
a lew uays ago.
.m,.u.u; uecune. oiliciais mat
may Indicate Germany is ordering- ex
treme care; may only mean German i
replenishing her torpedoes at bases, or
m u,iiiu is auccesaiuuy combat
ting- the submarine menace.
' Inquiry Into Pate
Of Waiter Started
.Washington, Feb. 10. (U. P.) In
t response to an Inquiry from the brother
, of George Bacon. . a Cleveland news
, paper man, : the state .department has
. started' an investigation abroad, but
. has been 'unable to trace him since
Bacon disappeared In December after
going abroad to write articles on. the
6hra yeJJtx revolt. . . ,
ASSURANCE
NEWS INDEX
SECTION OXE 16 PAGES
re.
I. -Germany Feels Oct TJ. B.
Chinatown Fmti Tea War.
Action cn Tax Graft 801 Delayed.
Gerard Off for Switzerland.
V-Boeta Sink Be von 8 teaman.
"oit Commissioner's Selection Political,
S. Two imtriota Rhipe Sat Sail.
Amy Xittinf Again Disappears,
Facificiats Oppoe Chamberlain a Bill.
3. Houm Bepublioane Take Heart.
. Chance pxpeotea in ..iplomatie Serv
ice. y
4.. Bridge t$ Bo Dedicated Wednesday.
mk jaarooaata- Association vo Man.
Banking Aaaoerooa Total 82 Billiona.
Array Van Call Upon 865,000 lien.
.
e.
Inquiry lata Livine? Cost.
St, John sa industrial Center. .
Boy Snoots Police Office.
7. Portland Can Establish Shippinr
Free tigs.
Sculptor Immortal izei H-onud-Up,
Naval aeserve Attracts Young Men.
i. Anti-Cixarttte BiUa worry House.
Adequate Boad Legislation Despaired
of.
Senate Commutes latrodaoaa Coaaoll
datioa Bills.
9. Multnomah C. E. to Meet,
10. Free Dispensary Popular Institution.
Government Aeta ftuickly is Criaia.
Ford Peace Conference Quit Business.
Bridge ; Approach Adaereata to Be
Heard. -
11. Strahora Bailroad . to Beach Bemota
Sactioa. v- '.
Grain Standards Hearing This Week.
12. Insurance Cede Declared Remedy.
Senator Works Severely Criticized.
Villa Kenaws Activities.
13. Caiman Present Case.
Saturday is tha Courts.
Auditorium May Coat City Mora.
Remedial Loan Association Deolaree
Dividend.
14. Traffio Bosnia ttona on New Bridge
I'ixed.
Troope at Vancouver Barracks for 68
Tears.
15. Pather Alleres Son Insane.
Friends i of V, of 0. Rally to Support
lis. men oauty natet uonoamnea.
SECTION TWO 14 PAGES
Pafe.
Sports Vows and Goealp.
Automobiles and Good Roads,
Baal Estate sad Building.
Want AsS.
Markets and Flaaaoa.
Marine, r
Additional Sports.
6-6.
7.
-12.
18.
14.
SECTION THREE 8 PAGES
Page.
8.
S.
Admission of Aliens More Difficult.
Photoplay News.
In Vaudeville.
In Starelaad.
On Broadway.
Editorial.
Brief Information,
Town Topios.
T. M. C. A. Ski Club on Mt Hood.
Illustrated' News Review,
War Zona Observation.
Newt, of the Sohcola,
University and Collage Haws,
SECTION FOUR 8 PAGES
Page.
1-3.
The Weak in Society.
ine Beaun or siusio.
Woman'. Cluh Affairs
8 ports Suits Attractive By Margaret
Mason. ,
Bobby's Valentine By Oaergane
r.BlhlT.
Harbinsora of SprUr By Ella
MoMuna.
Cars of the BaVy By Dr. Lena X.
Sadler.
mm ... . w .. a msvs. an ep ma-. I
7. jieajxnue seamy vnav sy i.iiuan I
Wmi?" i.r . rrfv. ? -ami. I
n,fc. I
.
JCae MedicUia ClMaty Dr. Edwin X
Bowers.
Needlework Design. .
8. The Aiaaaaination of XJnooln.
Puniahraant of Lincoln' a Plotters.
SECTION FIVE 12 PAGES
(Fiction Magasine)
SECTION SIX 4 PAGES
- (Comic)
23 Persons Frozen
m TV -TUT' j-
To lifiar.h m Winter
Kecord BreeJdns; Cold weather Hi
Claimed Heavy ToU In "Lives In the
TTnlted States; Many Are Maimed.
St. Paul. Minn., Feb. 10. (U. P.)
Twentv-thrcs nersons have frozen to
death and 86 persons have been
' . .
maimed for life by freezing thus far
in this record-breaking cold winter,
United Press figures complied tonight
show. The territory includes northern
Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas and
Canada.
In-thls territory more than 3000 of
the 11,168 miles of railroad normally
operated, is completely tied up by
snowdrifts.. Towns inhabited by an
aggregate of more than 10,000 south
of the international line have learned
01 ine trying international situation
only through rumors filtering in to
them over shaky telegraph' or telephone
lines.
The dead during the winter are, in
northern Wisconsin, 2; Minnesota, S;
North Dakota. 6; South Dakota. 1;
Canada, 12. In these states 19 were
maimed by loss of an arm, a hand or
an ear by freezing, while 17 were
maimed In Canada.
Students Welcomed
By War Secretary
Washington, Feb. 10.--I. N. S.) A
plan being worked out for enrolling
college students and alumni all over the
United States in ths service of the gov-1
omment in time of threatened Or actual
war received the most enthusiastic
commendation of Secretary of War
Baker today.
The head of the movement. William
McClellan. dean of the Wharton school.
University of Pennsylvania, presented
the plan in person. It Is now called
the Intercollegiate Intelligence bureau.
and already is compiling the names of
students and alumni everywhere whose!
cnaractertstics, training and willing -
ness to serve would make them valu.i
able aides to the military authorities.
Hold-Up Men Shoot
Woman Who May Die
Chicago, Feb. 10. (U. P.) rln an
attempted fcoldup here tonight Mrs.
Helen Yeeck was . shot and probably
fatally wounded when her husband, J.
A. Veeck. threw a weight at the holdup
men in an effort to chase them , from
the Veeck confectionery store.
Mrs. Veeck was shot ln. the breast.
The hoiaujp men -made their escape.
Wilsons Play Golf
Despite Winter Chill
Washington. Feb. 10. (U.
Though the , temperature was below
freezing. President and Mrs. WUson
went out for a golf gam today. The
president tad made no engagements for
toaay -sjp' to- noon.
TDNGOUTBREAK
HAS CHINATOWN
HELD IN TERROR
Trouble Complicated by Re-
moval of Hip Sings to
Quarters of Bing Kong
Bow Leong Tongs.
OTHER SOCIETIES MAY
JOIN -PRESENT FIGHT
Release of Prisoners Makes
Suey Sings Mad A1I
Over.
Portland Chinese, especially the, res
idents of the two Chinese districts.
lived completely under a reign of ter
ror Saturday night. -
On North Fourth street and on Sec
ond street aboVe and below Police
headquarters, for long periods at a
time, not a Chinese would be in sight.
The stores- were boarded up with
their wooden shutters. Lookouts sat
at-fVeepholes in the doorB, and if one
lucky enough to gain entrance to
a business house, hewould be accosted
by hollow eyed Orientals who have
slept scarcely a wink since the trouble
began Thursday night with the kill
ing. of a Suey Sing man by three Hip
Sing gunmen.
Shortly after 7 o'clock last night,
one of the most remarkable proces
sions Portland has ever seen wended
its way through the north end streets.
The Hip Sing tong moved its pos
sessions, money and personal belong-,
ings, in a closed touring car from 83
North Fourth street to the Bing Kong
Bow Leung quarters in the Chinese
Free Mason hall at Second and Oak
streets.
Money and Treasure Moved.
One thousand dollars and lodge
treasures were transferred. The ma
chine was closely guarded by police.
One uniformed officer sat on the seat
with the driver, two motorcycle patrol-
men rode Alongside, and attorneys and
fleteCtlves Were
within with the
cowed Celestials.
: Bad not the Chines district han
I closely rxrticedciv-vautboriUs
la.n .. : u',... uir
were unanimous in their declaration
that a battle would havoUakeM place
last nignt. v
At 6 o clock last evening, the word
went forth from the society headquar
ters, 'no peace and no quarter." Im
ported gunmen were eald by the po
lice to be in the city. Overtures of the
Chinese Peace society were not made
yesterday, and members of the organ
isation otrer the simple explanation
I mat tney Knew any offer of rr
U thi tim wouw j useless.
that they knew any offer of mediation
Buvy oisfa aua jlu UTir
Wong Hong and Wong Ten. two Hio
Sing members who were arrested with
13 others, following the shooting
i Thursday night, were released yester
day afternoon at 4 o'clock. News of
this quickly filtered to new Chlna-
town, and the Suey Sings, already hu
by J? Vh""" ?f
aaa v-ea a - " - V - V v a 1UIV taV Kl CO t
raRe.
The release of these two was the big;
development of the day that kyed th
icueiuit itiiuunt t.io lpi caning pomu
The Suey Sings expressed the belief
earlier in the day that, Inasmuch as
their members had identified Wong
Hong and Wong Yen as two of the Hip
King gunning squaa, tney should bo
held and prosecuted.
Out or the 15 arrested, only one is
now held by the police. This is
Joseph Woo,, alias Louie Leong, the
Hip Sing member, presumably a gun
man, who was shot in the battle
and is now in the emergency hos-f
pital. He has a bullet wound in the
left foot. He also has been identi
fied by Suey Sings as one of the
three gunmen, and a bullet taken
from the body of Mar Duck, the
deceased Suey Sing, corresponds ex
actly with those found in the smok
ing hot gun that was located in the
room where Joseph Woo sought
refuge after being injured.
Clean-Tip Is Promised.
Stating that he believed the worst
tong war Portland ' has seen was
brewing, "Deputy District Attorney
Ryan, in charge of the situation for
I the state, added that a general round-
up of every suspicious Chinese in the
city would follow the next shootlne.
"We will go down there wlth-every
policeman and deputy sheriff in town,
if necessary." said Ryan, "and each
Chinaman who appears in the slight-
Lest degree to be suspicious will be
I taken to the county Jail.
I "At every hand today I was told that
the Chinese refused peace overtures,
and we expect more shooting. We can
o"o little now, but. await developments.
I but when the Chinese have done their
rart, we will turn to and put a stop to
1 tne tning.
ine prospects or other tones loinins
in the trouble, since the shootings un
and down .the coast yesterday and to
day, seem almost certain. The Bing
Kong-Bow Leong tongs have now ooen.
ly espoused the cause of the Hip Sings,
and It is certain that the Hop Sings,
inner enemies or tne Bing Kongs, will
tans up ine zeua with the Suev Slns-a.
This is because the other shootings out
1 "'7" Iormcr
I " 1"B "wuv.
Hip Slags ILeaTlnr Town.
The Hip Sings are in the first war of
J tbeir ton' ln 19 years, their attorneys
Bay. ji ne orancn nere is comparatively
small, having about 95 members in ali
Of these 15 left town yesterday morn
ing, and theirattorneya said 20 more
are expected to leave this morn ins-.
Their destinations are unknown.
Being a peaceably inclined tong,
they have been undisturbed in other
local battles, and their quarters at 83 ft
North Fourth street are situated in the
P.i-.rii "J"L "-r Pre"en enemies.
,. 5..tT gunman ine
l??!?1 next
f. JP.ft" tZZ2
'"w ,: "-.. aav t ca a lad
Cbnclsdd-oa ragaweOoltnaa rear.)
DR. PAUL RITTER, Swiss minister to the United States,
who has been placed in charge of Germany's official in
terests in this country and who, it is stated, is working,
on behalf of Germany, for a continuance of peaceful relations.
i '.""fiw : f i
f , , I I 'A v" t
f ? S -- - r : i
r ' ' -J
r- k tKw Z ' ''''
li-..t:-r44:f a kits. ttkpiX-J
v f '"" - v "y '- ' x x4 j
k : : I' A is rJi-i. f - vv, XI
- i' . 1 ,v r'- V" i ;
L!--11 I
SELECTION OF A NEW
T COMMISSIONER
HASTOLTTICAL TURN
"v-
George Kelly's Forces Work
at Legislature Against the
Alfred Tucker Candidacy,
Salem, Or., Feb. 10. One 'of the
questions of large Importance to
Portland and the Columbia river
which will come befors the legisla
ture next week will be the election
of a commissioner for the Port of
Portland.
Two candidates are in the field.
One represents and Is backed by the
business Interests who are much con
cerned in the development of -the
port for the commercial advantage
it will Jfe to all Oregon, and do not
want to see the "port commission be
come a political hot-bed.
The other represents political and
personal interests which many be
lieve would be detrimental to the
best interests of the port.
The first candidate is Alfred
Tucker, well known Portland business
man, who is at present a member or
the commission by selection of a ma
jority of the members of the commis
sion, and the other is oeorge K.eny,
well known politician
and business
man.
TJp to Multnomah.
Wlileh one will be chosen by the
legislature undoubtedly will depend
upon the action of the Multnomah
delegation, as the question is consid
ered to concern Multnomah county
alone, and the up-state members will
follow the recommendation
Multnomah delegation.
Used to playing politics, feorge
Kelly and his active lieutenants early
in the session, -and even .befofe the
session opened, went to members Of
the Multnomah delegation, and ob
tained from as mahyas ' possible,
pledges of support for Kelly. -
These pledges -were obtained' from
a number of the. delegation, before
the members knew any .f i the.' facts
relating to the contest e were aware
of the political forces " which are
seeking to get control, of the Port or
Portland commission.
If Kelly had been less .astute and"
waited until the question of Selecting
& commissioner came before the leg
islature he would not have had even
a look-in, as can be plainly seen by
the situation as it stands today when,
after weeks of effort, the Kelly
forces have been unable tollne up
a majority of the Multnomah dele
gation. Mann "Counts xroses."
Representative .John Mann, who
with Representative Kubll has been
most active in working , to line up
the Multnomah delegation for Kelly,
today "counted noses' again in prep
aration for caucusing on the question
early next week.
Kelly "end John Burgard and Russell
Hawkins and others were here
from Portland this week doing what
they could to help line up a majority
Of the Multnomah delegation, for
Kelly, but now that the members of
the delegation are advised of the
real Issue and facts in the case, the
support for Tucker is stronger than
it has ever , been.
i It Is reported that the Kelly forces.
fearing that they will be unable to
get the approval of a majority of the
Multnomah delegation, Jmve begun an
effort to line up up-state members
with the hope that they will .take a
hand in the Multnomah contest and
support Kelly whether he' can obtain
the Multnomah indorsement or not.
..Up-state members are . not ; taking
any Interest in the - contest and say
they prefer to- leave .Jt to the ..Mulf
xiornJv-delegation, .
0
ii in nm l
U-BOATS SINK SEVEN
VESSELS' THE BEING
NORWEGIAN VESSELS
Statistics Show Falling Off in
Victims Since. February 5,
Losses Heavy, However.
London. Febv 10. (U. P.) Todays
sinkings by German submarines totaled
seven, with a combined tonnage of
22,334. They were:
British steamer Mastola. 682S tons;
British steamer Lullington. 281S tons;
British steamer Beach Tree. 1277 tons;
Norwegian b"t earner Bolbakken. 2618
tons; British .steamer Japanese Prince,
4788 tons; British steamer Eaiavare,
2732 tons; Norwegian steamer Hav
gard, 1279 tons. .
Statistics of vessels sunk ln the
"barred zone" since February 8 at
midnight, when all restrictions on their
operation were removed, showed thi
retrogression in the totals of ships
lost:
February 6 Fourteen ships, totall
tonnage 44,.bi.
February 7 Nine ships, total ton
nage 28,725.
February 8 Ten ships, total ton
nage 23,712.
February 9 Six ships, total tonnage
February 10 Seven ships, total ton
nage 22,334,
From February 1 to 10, German
submarines had accounted for 82 ves
sels, with a total tonnage of 186.404
These 82 vessels were divided thus
among the nations of the world:
British, 43 vessels; American. 1;
other neutrals, 31; other allies. 7.
As against this loss of 82 vessels.
New Yorjt maritime experts, who
claimed to have information from
British admiralty sources, said- 1100
Chips had arrived and departed from
British ports since February 1. Seven
hundred . arrivals and 410 departures
were reported. Sixteen ships were re
ported to have escaped' after having
been attacked:
These figures, however, mad the
total losses . 89 7 more than the
number so far reported, and classi
fied, the losses thus:
Torpedoed British, 25; other al
lies, 13; neutrals, 21; trawlers and
small boats, 21. Sunk by mines, 9.
Aerial Fighting on
West Front Fierce
Paris, Feb. 10. (IT. P.) Furious re
vival of aerial fighting marked tne
day's record on the western front, re
ported ln the French official state
ment-tonight.
French aeroplanes bombarded Ger
man-blast furnaces at Rorabach and
Hagodange. and the railroads and fac
tories In the fierre valley. At the lat
ter place bombs accurately placed de
railed and set lire to a train.
Two enemy planes one a three-
seated machine were brought down
by ' French aviators.
A British admiralty statement this
afternoon reported. a raid on Ghlstel-
les, in which the aviators returned
sarely.
Mexican Escbrtf or
; Hetclier Expected
Laredo. Teat. Feb, 10. (L N. S.) A
oarty of prominent Mexican officials,
including the personal representative
of First Chief Carranza s expected to
arrive' In ; Nueva Laredo tomorrow to
await tha arrival of United states Am
bassador Designate Henry p. Fletcher.
andr-escort fclnvao Mexico City,
FORBES
AGIN
DELAYS
ON THE
TAX GRAFT BILL
House Judiciary Committee
Has in Hand Farrell-Orton
Measure Repealing Delin
quent Publication Law.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
RECEIVED WITH FAVOR
Change Would Require Print
ing Only When Malls Fail
to Reach Owner.
4
Delay Is Dangerous.
Although the senate mn
abolishing newspaper advertis
ing of delinquent taxes was In
troduced early in the session,
the house has not yet had op
portunity to vote on it. It is
in tho hands of the house judi
ciary committee and if not re
ported without further delay
there is serious danger that it
will rot become a law. There
is still time for taxpayers who
desire to abolish this acuse to
make themselves heard.
Salem, Or., Feb. 10. Representative
Forbes, chairman of the house commit
tee on Judiciary, is now standing be
tween the house and its consideration
of the Farrell-Orton bill, repealing th
delinquent tax publication law.
The bill was referred to the commit
tee on February 2. It was considered
in an open meeting on Wednesday last
since which tlm Mr. Forbes has not
had a meeting of the Judiciary commit
tee, though other members of th com
mittee have been working on various
measures now before it.
It is understood that th committee
will, have a meeting Monday, at which
timt th Farrell-Orton bill will be re
ported out. very probably in an amend-
Ths'BiU a irneame into th nouse
from the senate applied to Multnomah
county only, providing that the publica
tion of delinquent taxes should not be
required in that county, but that notice
should be given by mall.
Amendment Is Considered.
'An amendment is now being con
sidered by the Judiciary committee
which would again make the bill ap
ply to the state at large. Under Its
provisions letters would be sent by the
tax collector of each county to th-j
owners of tne property upon wnicn
taxes are delinquent.
These letters shall bear upon the
envelope a notice to the postmaster to
the effect that the letter is official
business of the county and requesting
It to be dellevered. forwarded or re
turned to the tax collector within five
or ten days a may be finally deter
mined by the committee.
The amendment further provides
that the tax collector shall assemble
all these letter notices that are re
turned to him undelivered, and shall
cause these descriptions of the prop
erty covered by these notices to be
published as the list Is now pub
lished, except that it shall be printed
in the responsible paper of general
circulation submitting ths lowest bid
for the work.
Chang Is Acceptable.
This amendment has met with gen
eral favor, and if presented to the
house would very probably receive its
substantial support. The clerk of the
Judiciary committee is checking It up
and will have it drafted in shape for
the definite consideration of th com
mlttee Monday evening. '
The amendment proposal seems to
meet all valid objections that have
been or can be raised against the re
peal of the present notoriously unfair
and, wasteful publication law. It pro
vides for direct notice by mail, and
also makes provision for constructive
notice in all cases where the actual
mailed notice has not been delivered
While providing for constructive no
tice it will greatly reduce the cost of
such procedure since the experience
of tax departments throughout the
state has been that a very small per
centage of mailed notices fail to reach
their Intended destination.
From the outspoken statements or
various members or tne senate, who
opposed ths Farrell-Orton bill ln its
original form repealing statewide pub
lication, the proposed amendments, if
adopted by tne house, will meet with
ready concurrence in the upper branch
of the legislature.
Woman With Letter
Turns in Fire Alarm
Mistakes Box for Mail Bcptacl and
Taam Beats Betreat Wall riremea
and Crowd -Bat XV to Been.
Tha threadbare story of th rube
whn came to town, mistook a fir
alarm box for a mail box and turned
tn an alarm by trylngto put a letter
in th box was enacted again last
night, but instead of a rube, a woman
turned in tne aiarm.
Kh attempted to mall a letter in
the fire alarm box at Twelfth and
Morrison streets about 8:15 o'clock.
She pulled the little lever down and
when the muffled bells within th box
began to ring, she backed away from
v. hox. When she saw th approach
Of th fire apparatus she did not wait
to explain her actions, but beat a
hasty and well concealed retreat up
Twelfth street.
-.While she beat m retreat, hundreds
In the downtown streets "beat if to
the scene .All th downtown fire ap
paratus was rushed to the intersection
of Twelfth and Mayrison streets, while
traffio in Morrison street was entirely
truspenaea xor acoat Jt xturrates.
Flames Sweep
Plant Making
WarMtmition
Main Buildings of the Union
Switch & Signal Company
Near Pittsburg Destroyed.
Pittsburg, Pa.. Feb. 10. (U. P.)
Fire tonight totally destroyed the main
buildings of the Union Switdh and
Signal company at 'Swissvale, near
here. Breaking out late this afternoon
in the shipping department of the big
plant that for many months was one
of the biggest producers of munitions
for the entente allies, the flameatqulclc
ly spread to other buildings of the
concern sand to nearly SO houses and
stores in the town.
The 'loss was estimated at $4,600,000
by a leading official. Three thousand
men were thrown out of employment.
Government officers, under the di
rection of Marshal Joseph Howley, im
mediately began a sweeping investiga
tion. Though the munitions depart
ment was recently dismantled, at the
expiration of European contracts, much
of the machinery still remained. In
the past it has filled United States
government orders amounting to many
millions of dollars.
Ruins fell across the tracks of the
Pennsylvania, railroad' main line and
blocked it shortly before 8 o'clock.
Nearly two hours elapsed before traf
fic was resumed.
Portland-Vancouver
Car Service Revised
Zstemraan XUectrlo Trains on 30-Mln-
nt Interval Basis, Xffsotlv ZTaxt
Thursday, Has Been Annonnosd.
Car. service between Portland and
Vancouver on a 30-mlnute Interval has
been announced by the Portland Rail
way, Light & Power company. The
present service Is of 25-mlnute inter
val. A new timecard Just issued to
become effective on February 15, in
dicates that the first cars will leave
Second and Washington streets at 6
a. m. and every half hour thereafter
until 8:30 p. m., when a 26-minute
service continues until 12:18 a. m., the
final trip.
Cars leave Third and Main streets,
Vancouver, on a half-hourly basts,
starting at 6:47 a.'m until 3:4 7 p. m.,
when a 24-mfnute service continues
until 12:48 a. m. This applies for .all
days except' Saturday and Sunday.!
wnen a straight so-minute service: cov
ers the entire day.
Th 'actual running time between
Portland and Vancouver will b .about
38 minutes, saving 12 minutes over th
lrae formerly consumed in crossing
by ferry.
Lincoln's Birthday
At Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, Tenit. Feb. 10. (I.
N. 8.) This little town ln ths Appa
lachian mountains, where Kentucky,
Tennessee and Virginia touch, today
was thronged with visitors, who gstn
ered to celebrate the twentieth anni
versary of the founding of Lincoln
Memorial university and the birthda?y
of the Great Emancipator.
The university was founded by pub
11c spirited people who desired to hon
or Lincoln's memory by naming for
him an Institution where young men
and women who have to struggle as he
did lor knowledge may achieve their
goal. A movement is on foot to raise
31,000,000 for the extension of the unl
versify's work.
- ' 1 1
Stanford Students
Balk at Sea Trip
Los Angeles, Feb. 10. (P. N. S.)
The 24 Stamford students who were to
hsve left New York, today to Johii
the French field ambulance corps re- i
fused to sail when President Wilson!
declined a warship convoy, according
to a message , received here from
Roland Speer, one of the students.
Marlon Kyle, son of Mrs. George A,
Kyle, of 543 East Thirty-seventh street.
Portland, is a member -of this party of
Stanford students, but it was Stated at
the Kyle residence last evening that no
word hsd been heard from him of th
action reported above.
Military Training
Favored by House
Salem, Or., Feb. 10. Th house, with
35 affirmative votes, went on record
this afternoon. Just before adjourn
ment, in favor of military, training in
the high echools of the state, by pass
ing th Crandall .bill, providing that
th directors of such schools should
have the power, if they desire to avail
themselves of it, of providing military
training in all the high schools f
the state.
Crandall, Maekay, Corbet t and Muel
ler spoke in favor of the bill, while it
was opposed by Mrs Thompson, Bet-
land, Eaton and Good. it passed,
with 85 votes ln its favor, and several
absentees.
Lansing Says' Nation
Can Trust President
Washington, Feb. 10. (U. P.) Sec
retary of State Lansing, at th Am
herst alumni dinner tonight, rotter
sted his recent declaration that th
"United States Is on th verg of
war
"But." Lansing added, "ominous
though the situation may seem, there
is always hop that our country may
b spared the terrible calamity of be
ing forced Into the European conflict.'
"President Wilson," th secretary
said,-"can b trusted by th nation to
act Justly: and fearlessly in whatever
lies before us.. In his hands tho des
tiny of th United 6tatav4s Stirvvlh
national jhonor isj 4asfo ; A ,
SPECIAL TRAIN
CARRIES GERARD
TO SWITZERLAND
American Ambassador and
Party Scheduled to . Leave
' Berlin at.20 Last Night,
According to Dispatches.
SPECIAL POUCE GUARD:,
TRAVELERS" IN CAPITAL
Swiss Government Will At
tend to Journey to Spain y.
for Embarkation.
The Hague. Feb. 10. (TJ. P.) -By,
o'clock tonight. America's break1 la dip "
lomatlc relations with Germany will1
have been physically and completely
carried out. Ambassador Gerard, with
his staff, and all American consuls in
the German empire expected to leave
the capital at 8:20, accordllng to Ber- '
lln dispatches received here late to
day. , - ;v,.
The German government has ' pro-,
vided a special train ln two sections,
carrying sleepers and dining ear. On;
the first section will be the ambassador,;
his staff and a few American news
paper men. On the second will b th
consular officers, a number of Red
Cross workers and a few cltltensv AH
arrangements have been mad for
passage of the baggage of th dlplo
matte and consular officials without
examination, but th personal affects
of sit others on the train will b
thoroughly examined. '.-
The kaiser's equerry will b th ;
emp'eror's personal representative on v
the Journey, end Berlin advices indi
cated that the American entourage Will
be given all possible courtesies. X
special police guard will escort th
party to the train in Berlin.' Follr
protection will also be hereafter ae-.
corded the building housing th Ameri
can embassy records, although a great
many of thes archive hav already .
been transferred to the Spanish em -bassy,
which will represent th United
States! hereafter. - ;
Arrangements
for th ' trip Trom
Bertie to Spain were not revealed in
Berlin advices tonight. It is assumed
that the Swiss government will' hav.
trains ready so that Gerard's Journey
will b f aelliated with all possible .
speed. It is not known on whieh liner
Gerard plans to leave Spain. . ' -
Gerard Lodges Protest. - '
London. Feb. 10. (tl. V.) A dis '
patch to the Exchange Telegraph com
pany from The Hague tonight declared
that Ambassador Gerard had lodged'
formal protest with ths Qerman's'ov-.
ernment against cutting off all tel
phone communication in the embassy :
immediately after he had received his
passports for the 'United States. Th .
American diplomat, it was declared
had submitted his protest through
neutral embassy.
Oregon Guardsmen - :
Are Enroute Home
Calexlco, Cel., Feb. 10.-Th troop
of Oregon and Washington are hom-
ward bound on two sections of a train?
that left here this evening. They ex-,
pect to reach Vancouver Barracks
Tuesday or Wednesday.
The first section is bringing Battery
A, with its stock and flat cars Ibadad
with equipment. Troop A. with th
Washington cavalry and signal corps,
is aboard the second section, which is '
also bringing equipment and stock.
Captain White is in charge of both sec
tions. Sergeant Tibbals snd Bugler Edward
Davis, of Troop A, were mustered out
and will remain. Others requested to '
be given discharges, but their applies-'
tions were made too late. Non of th
man remained because of sickness.
Bonthera Troops Depart.
S3 Paso, Tex., Feb. 10. (L N. S.)
Troop A, South Carolina cavalry, th
South Carolina field hospital and am
bulance corps and the Tennessee field
hospital and ambulance company's de
parted for home tonight over the El
Paso A Southwestern railway.
Wisconsin' Boys to Leave, -
San Antonio, Tex., Feb. 10. I. X.
8.) The Second Wisconsin Infantry
began to place its equipment aboard
trains today prepared to depart for
home this afternoon. . -
WHY WASTE
TIME AND
ENERGY?
Want a room? .
Want to find a good on
and without any bother or
wast of time? .-!
Her Is How: ,
Turn to th little ads. tn see- ;
tlon two of today's Journal '.
the "classified" section and k '
look nnder To Rent Rooms," v
Mark those that seem desir
able and then go to se thenT;
"over th telephone."
' This means to call up and
find out all about ths rooms,
before you go to se them
before you spend time, car far V
, before you are disappointed..'
A copy of Th Journal "and
' telephone -may sav you
- thousand uselws steps. -, .