Heppner gazette., January 16, 1908, Image 3

U CJ LJ Zs LTU
u
U U U
CURRENCY BILL
FOR THE HOUSE
Entirely New System of Regulating
Bank Circulation.
Will Be Secured by Bank's Assets
Banks to , Deposit Money With
Government to Guarantee Both
Notes and Deposits Framed and
Managed by Fowler.
Washington, Jan. 0. The sub-com
mittee of the house committee on bank
ing and currency, to which was entrust
ed the framing of a bill to increase the
elasticity of the currency, reached a
conclusion yesterday and will report
favorably to the full committee a bill
drawn in the main by Chairman Fow
ler, of tbe committtee. The bill will
be introduced by Fowler and referred
to his committee, where it will form
the working basis for the framing of a
bill of possibly the same scope and
tenor.
Thes bill provides for the complete
retirement of all outstanding national
bank bond Becured currency and author
izes In lieu thereof a currency based
upon general assets of the banks, to be
worked out in thin way:
The controller of the currency will
designate throughout the country cer
tain redemption cities, so that there
shall be a redemption city within at
least 24 hours' reach of every national
bank. The national banks will indi
cate to the controller of the currency to
what redemption city they wish to be
joined. The controller will then select
time and place within each redemp
tion district for the organizing of that
district in the following manner:
Each national bank in that district,
regardless of its capital stock, will be
entitled to one vote. Representatives
of the banks will meet at a time and
place designated and elect a board of
managers to consist of seven members.
Tbe seven will elect a chairman, who
will become a deputy controller of cur
rency and assume control of his re
demption district, except that he shall
not have charge of the enforcement of
the criminal statutes.
Each national bank is authorized to
present ' to the secretary of the treasury
national bank notes and lawful money
in lieu of other national bank bond se
cured outstanding notes. Then, if the
bank's application therefor is indorsed
by the board of managers of the re
demption district to which it belongs,
tbe bank will receive guaranteed credit
notes to the amount of its capital stock.
These notes will be subject to a tax of
2 per cent per annum. Each bank will
be required to deposit as a guarantee
fund with the treasurer of the United
States 5 per cent of its averaga deposits
for the preceding 12 months and 5 per
cent of the credit notes which it takes
out. The revenue thus obtained is to
create and support a national guaran
tee lund of $500,000,000 for the guar
antee of both the deposits and the out
standing banknotes of every national
bank. Eighty per cent of this fund is
to be invested iu United States bonds
drawing 2 per cent interest, while the
remaining 20 per cent is to be deposit
ed in banks of the various redemption
cities for the purpose of redeeming the
guaranteed credit notes of the banks of
the various redemption districts.
When the national guarantee fund
reaches $25,000,000, which would be
almost simultaneous with the birth of
the new law, the government is re
quired to return to the hanks the Unit
ed States bonds now held as security
for Federal deposits, the object being
to enable the banks to get control of
the bonds, so that the government can
invest the 80 per cent of the guaranteed
fund in 2 per cent bonds and regain
control. In buying these bonds the
banks holding them shall be paid their
original purchase price, providing their
exact purchase price can be proven.
It is Fowler's idea, as embodied in
the bill, to have the new credit notes
printed on a green background in differ
entiation from the yellow background
of the gold notes and white background
of the silver certicafites.
Tunnel Open for Traffic.
New York, Jan. 9. The first of the
series of tunnels under the waters that
divide Manhattan from Brooklyn on
the one side and from New Jersey on
the other was opened for traffic late
last night, when the initial passenger
train left the Bowling Green station of
the Interborough subway and went the
length of one of the long steel double
tubes which parallel each other under
the river to Brooklyn. The-opening of
this tunnel is regarded as a long step
toward the solution of the transporta
tion problem of New York.
Will Try Land Thieves.
Helena, Mont., Jan. 9. United
States Judge William II. Hunt will
leave Helena on Saturday for Portland,
Or., where he has just been ordered by
the Department of Justice to preside in
the land fraud cases, which will be
brought up the first of next week.
Francis J. Heney will prosecute tbe
cases. Judge Dietrich, of the Idaho
district, will come to Helena to preside
over the Federal court here during
Judge Hunt's absence.
Battleships Off Brazil.
Pernambuco, Brazil, Jan. 9. Tbe
American battleship fleet under com
mand of Rear Admiral Evans, was
sighted passing this port yesterday at
noon on its way to Rio Janeiro.
VERDICT DECLARED VOID.
Court of Appeals Reverses Decision
In Schmitz Case.
San Francisco, Jan. 10. "The judg
ment and order are reversed and the
trial court is directed to sustain the de
murrer to the indictment and discharge
the defendant as to such indictment."
This was the decision handed down
yesterday by the District Court of Ap
peals reversing the judgment of the
trial court in the case of ex-Mayor
Schmitz, sentenced to five years in San
Quentin ou tbe charge of extortion
based upon the alleged "holding up"
of tbe French restaurants in the matter
of liquor licenses and setting aside the
indictment on which his conviction was
had.
The trial was made notable by tbe
appearance oi Abraham iiuei, the po
litical dictator who controlled the
municipal administration, and practi
cally placed Schmitz in office, as a
witness against the mayor, testifying
that he had paid to Schmitz $2,500 of
the $5,000 received by Raef from the
French restaurants, in order that
Schmitz would permit the board of
police commissioners to issue liquor li
censes to them. Kuei had, previous
to this, dramatically pleaded guilty to
the same charge, at the same time
making the enigmatical statement that
he was innocent.
On tbe ground that the indictment
did not show that a public offense was
committed, because it did not allege
any threat to injure property, the court
holding that a liquor license was not
property, but mere permission; that a
threat to prevent the obtaining of a
liquor license by one who bad no au
thority in the premises did not consti
tute a threat against property, and be
cause of numerous errors in the ruling
of the trial judge Superior Judge
Frank H. Dunne the Appellate court
held that the indictment was invalid
and the conviction null and void. In
effect, the court held that Schmitz was
not given a fair and impartial trial.
While the decision was not wholly
a surprise, even to the prosecution, and
had been freely predicted by bchmitz'e
friends lor some time, it did not fail to
cause something of a sensation and was
the sole topic of conversation yesterday.
The decision will have the effect of
invalidating the other four indictments
charging Schmitz as well as Ruef with
extortion, and rendes void the plea of
guilty made by Ruef, fcs the Appellate
court held that no crime was commit
ted.
By this re vernal it is feared that the
prosecution has lost its hold upon Ruef,
and it was freely predicted last night
that the former political boss would
now refuse all overtures of immunity,
wholly or in part, to testify in the
bribery-graft cases, and fight every in
dictment against him.
Although the court ordered Schmitz
discharged from custody on the extor
tion indictments, neither Schmitz nor
Ruef can take advantage of the reversal
for 60 days, and even then there is
little likelihood that either of them
will be able to get the enormous bail
required for their release. There are
still pending against Ruef 126 indict
ments charging bribery, on which the
total bail is $1,10,000, and Schmitz
would have to get bonds for $450,000
on the indictments that remain against
him. The prosecution has 20 days in
which to ask the Appellate court for a
rehearing of the appeal, and the court
has 10 days in which to decide the mo-
tion. The appeal would then go to the
Supreme court, where the same length
of time would be required before the
decision of yesterday can go into effect,
Cut Rates on Atlantic.
Liverpool, Jan. 10. The White Star
line today announced a reduction in its
second and third class passenger rates
from English parts to New York and
Boston. ThiB step is taken because of
the traffic that has been deflected from
the vessels of this line by the Lusitania
and Mauretania, and tc the refusal of
the Cunard company to concede differ
ential rates for vessels of the Baltic
class. The second-class fares were re
duced by from $6 to $7.50 and the
third class fares by from $4 to $5. The
Cunard company immediately said
that it would meet the cut.
Loeb Goes Into Other Work.
Washington, Jan. 10. Investiga
tions in local financial circles by Rep
resentative Smith, of Michigan, chair
man of the house committee on the
District of Columbia, warrants him in
saying that there is to be a consolida
tion of the streetcar companies of the
District of Columbia, and that Wil
liam Loeb, Jr., secretary to President
Roosevelt, is to be given the active
management. Mr. Smith has been
making inquiry into the streetcar situ
ation, with the view of getting author
ity for constructing new lines.
Lives Lost in China.
Victoria, B. C, Jan. 10. Mail ad
vices from 8outh China tell of a terri
ble fire at Canton, where 300 lives were
lost in the burning cf a restaurant. A
Chinese recently returned from Cali
fornia bringing a cinematograph ma
chine, and at a wedding feast at a Choi
Chan restaurant he gave a cinemato
graph exhibition. Several hundred
Chinese had crowded into the place,
when the film took fire. There was a
panic, and the building collapsed.
Greene and Gaynor Go to Prison.
Macon, Ga., Jan. 10. Benjamin D.
Greene and John F. Gaynor were taken
to Atlanta today to be placed in tbe
Federal penitentiary to begin four year
sentences for embezzlement of govern
ment funds in connection with govern
ment work in Savanna harbor. They
had been in jail pending an appeal to
the United States Supreme court.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTIETH
SESSION OF NATIONAL LAWMAKERS
Saturday, January II
Washington, Jan. 11. A vigorous
fight was waged in the house of repre -
sentatives today over the bill to codify
and revise tbe penal laws of the United
States with particular reference to sec
tion 19, affecting conspiracies against
the civil rights of citizens. Smith, o
Missouri, and Hughes, of New Jersey,
offered amendments having for their
object the exemption of labor unions
from the operation of tbe section when
ever such unions declare strikes or boy
cotts. A motion to strike out the
whole section was made by Bartlett. of
Georgia. The brunt of the debate was
borne by Sherley. of Kentucky, a mem
ber of the committee on revision, but
he was supported by a number of Re
publicans.
The amendments were all lost, as
was one by De Armond to strike out
section 20, because it conferred on Fed
eral courts in punishing felonies and
misdemeanors committed under section
19 the authority given to the courts of
the state in which the acts are commit
ted.
Friday, January 10.
Washinnton. Jan. 10. The house of
representatives today resumed its activ
ity, and for over five hours transacted
business of a public nature. Material
progress was made with the bill to
codify, revise and amend the criminal
laws of the United States, which was
taken up after some routine bills had
been disposed of.
The feature of tbe session was a brief
address by Burleson, of Texas, who
credited Senator Foraker and other Re
publicans with having charged the
president with the responsibility for
the recent financial panic.
The house adjourned at 5:12 p. m.
until tomorrow, after an effort had
been made by tbe Democrats for con
sideration of the code bill.
The house of representatives took on
its old-time form when Jones, of Wash
ington, called up the bill authorizing
the Benton Water company to construct
a dam across Snake river at Five-mile
rapids, Wash. The bill elicited a
sharp debate and members crowded
into tbe center aisle anxiouB to be
heard. The bill was finally passed.
Washington, Jan. 10. The senate
committee on territories today passed
favorably upon the nomination of
George Curry to be governor of New
Mexico; Nathan Jaffa to be secretary of
New Mexico, and John H. Page to be
secreary of Arizona.
The committee on Pacific islands and
Porto Rico voted to recommend the con
firmation of Regis H. Poet, of New
York, to be governor of Porto Rico;
William F. Willoughby, of the Dis
trict of Columbia, to be secretary of
Porto Rico, and Edward Dextecr, of
Illinois, to be commissioner of educa
tion of Porto Rico.
Thursday, January 9.
Washington, Jan. 9. The introduc
tion by Senator Hale, chairman of the
committee on naval affairs, today of
his naval personnel bill proved the oc
casion for a general discussion of naval
affairs and recent occurences in connec
tion with that branch of the public ser
vice. The Maine senator entered upon
a full explanation of the provisions of
the measure, together with his reason
for its adoption.
Senator Clay today introduced a bill
authorizing the secretary of the treas
ury to issue $300,000,000 of non-interest
bearing United States notes in cir
culation, in such form as he may deem
expedient.-.
Senator Bulkley today Introduced a
bill providiny for emergency currency
issued by banks in amounts equal to
the par value of bonds to be deposited
with the treasurer of the United States.
It provides that United States- bonds,
Panama canal bonds, bonds of any
state , county or municipality of not
less than 50,000 population, may be
accepted for euch purposes.
Senator Lodge today introduced a
joint resolution reducing China's in
demnity bond, incurred as a result of
the Boxer trouble of 1900, from $245,
440,778 to $11,655,492, with interest
at 4 per cent, payment of the amount
being remitted as an act of friendship
to China.
Senator Gore, of Oklahoma, today
introduced a joint resolution providing
that no person shall be eligible to be
elected president of the United States
lor more than two terms in succession.
Senator Piles today secured the pas
sage through the senate of his bill ap
propriating $30,000 for the erection of
Argue Over Giving Rebates.
Washington, January 9. The Su
preme court today heard arguments in
the government criminal prosecution of
the Great Northern Railway company
on the charge of violating the Elkins
by granting rebates on which the
company was fined $5,000. The com
pany was represented by William R.
Bigg, of St. Paul, and the government
by Attorney General Bonaparte. The
defense proceeds on the theory that the
first section of the Elkins law, impos
ing fines for rebates, was repealed by
the Hepburn act.
Decrease in Army.
Washington, Jan. 8. Secretary left
is a strong advocate of increased pay
for the army, and his annual report,
just sent to congress, completely dis
pels any doubt that may exist as ,to the
disposition. The report shows rapid
decrease in the strength of the regular
army in recent years (the loss last year
being 4,4L'S men), and tbe pressing
need of officers to replace those now on
detailed on recruiting duty as military '
instructors In educational institutions, i
a lighthouse at the entrance of Belling
bam Bay.
j
Washington, Jan. 9. Decided dif
. erences of opinion as to the way of in
jecung elasticity into tne national cur
rency and of increasing the safety of
bank deposits have arisen among tbe
members cf the committee on banking
and currency, of which Fowler, of New
Jersey is chairman. 8ome of the Re
publican members as well as Demo
crats, are not in entire sympathy with
tbe plan of Fowler as embodied in the
bill introduced by him yesterday con
templating the immediate and com
plete retirement of all national bank
bond-secured currency and its replace
ment by a guaranteed credit currency
based upon general assets of the banks
Wednesday, January 8.
Washington, Jan. 8. In the pre
ence of the entire bouse, Williams, of
M'ssissippi, and De Armond, of Mis
souri, whose physical encounter on the
floor just before the Christmas adjourn
ment attracted general attention, today
engaged in an exchange of amenities
which was generally accepted as a pub
lie announcement of their respective
intentions not to permit their personal
differences to interfere with the couT'
teous discharge of their public duties
The incident occurred in connection
with an effort by Dalzell, of the com
mittee on rules, to get the house to
agree to a rule giving right-of-way to
the bill authoriing the codification and
amendment of the penal laws of the
United States and limiting general de
bate to four hours. Several Democratic
members expressed the opinion that
the rule was a scheme to sidetrack
other legislation. Dalzell. however,
refuted this.
ine rule was passed oy an over
whelming majority, despite efforts of
De Armond and seven adherents to ee
cure the yeas and nays, and the house
at once proceeded to tbe consideration
and reading of tbe bill. At the con
clusion of the reading, which consumed
two hours, the bill was laid aside and
the bouse again took up the resolution
distributing the president's message to
the several committees, in order to
permit Gaines, of Tennessee, to address
the house in favor of an appropriation
for the Hermitage, the home of Gene
ral Andrew Jackson, near Nashville,
Tenn
Tuesday, January 7.
Washington, Jan. 7. Senator Aid
rich today introduced his currency bill,
which has been a subject for some
days. He had the bill read to the sen
ate and announced that the committee
would be glad to consider with it all
bills that senators might desire to in
troduce. He assured Culberson that
his resolution would receive attention
At 1:40. the senate adjourned until
next Thursday to permit more work bv
committees.
The president today sent in the nom
ination of Christian Schuebel to be dis
trict attorney for Oregon. His sole en
dorser was Senator Bourne, the other
three members of the Oregon delegation
supporting George G. Bingham, of
Salem. There may be a fight over
Schuebel's confirmation.
Washington, Jan. 7. The resolution
referring tbe president's message to the
several committees furnished the occa
sion in the house of representatives to
day for a number of addresses, mostly
by members on the Democratic side
These covered a variety of subjects, but
those that attracted special attention
were by Sheppard, of Texas, and Wil
let of New York.
The former not only made a plea for
the restoration of the leeend "In God
We Trust" on American coins, but dis
cussed the cruise of the American bat
tleship fleet and referred to a possible
conflict with Japan.
Congress Reconvenes.
Washington, Jan. 6. With its or
ganization completed, the house of rep
resentatives reconvened at noon today.
Almost the full quorum of representa
tives was present. The galleries were
unusually well filled. After a half
hour's session the house adjourned
until tomorrow out of respect for the
memory of the late Senator Mallory,
of Florida.
The senate was in session only four
minutes today, adjourning upon the
adoption of resolutions in respect to the
death of the late Senator Mallory, of
Florida.
Frisco Postmaster Will Lose.
Washington, Jan. 9 The nomina
tion of Arthur Fisk to be postmaster at
San Francisco will not go to the senate
today, unless the president changes his
mind. Postmaster General Meyer said
he was sure the president not intend to
reappoint Fisk today. Congressman
Kahn said that he had poeitive inform
ation that charges against Fisk for vio
lation of the postal regulations had
been filed last May and that thse
charges had not been investigated by
the postoffice inspectors for some un
known reason.
Ship Coal to Islands.
Washington, Jan. 9. Sixty thousand
tons of coal have been sent to Honolulu
by tbe equipment bureau of the Navy
department, and by April there are to
be 100,000 tons at Manila. The ship
ments have been made in anticipation
of the possibility cf Rear Admiral
Evans' battleship fleet returning to
the Atlantic side by way of the Asiatic
station. If it is not needed for that
purpose tbe coal will be nsd from time
to time by American men-of-war.
DENATURED ALCOHOL.
Idaho Experiment Station Tells About
Manufacture and Use.
Conditions Affecting the Production
of Industrial Alcohol in the Northwest,
is the title of a bulletin recently issued
by the department of chemistry of
the Idaho state experiment station.
The purpose of the bulletin is, as the
author states, to bring to the attention
of farmers and others interested in the
subject, the general principles underly
ing the processes used in the manufac
ture and denaturing of alcohol. The
opinion is expressed that people in
this part of the country will receive but
little benefit from the passage cf the
"Denatured Alcohol Act" unless they
see to it that this alconol is made at
home from home grown products. Sev
eral crops aie mentioned as being the
ones to which people in the Northwest
will have to look as the most promis
ing in alcohol manufacture, the most
prominent being potatoes and sugar
beets. It is not probable that individ
ual farm distilleries will ever be put
into operation. Tbe idea is advanced
of a community still, or a still owced
and operated by a stock company, in
which the chief owners of the stock
snail be tne producers oi tbe raw ma
terial. Figures are given illustrating
the relative efficiency of alcohol when
compared to kerosene as a source of
light.
It will require some time to get peo
ple acquainted with the uses to which
denatured a'chohol may be put, but it
is confidently believed that there is a
great future for this product right here
in the Northwest.
"DRYING OFF" THE MILKER.
Useful Hints On Handling of Cows
Before Calving.
In answer to a question how to "dry
off'
the milking cow, Prof. J. H. Frand-
son, of Idaho experiment station, gave
tbe following suggestions:
The trouble with many dairymen is
that in drying np cans they are afraid
to stop milking as long as the cow
shows any tendency of giving milk.
In many they do not realize that to con
tinue milking through the entire year
is an exceedingly bad policy. In ordi
nary cases it is desirable that the cows
should be dry from a month to six
weeks. The object being to increase
the supply of nourishment for the
growing foetus as well aj enabling the
cow to improve her physical condition
before the time of calving. When it is
thought best to hasten "laying off,"
start by not milking the cow clean.
This will generally decrease the amount
to a point where it is safe to skip every
other milking. In about a week'the
milk will generally be reduced to such
proportions as to justify milking only
every other day. Generally soon after
this it will be safe to discontinue milk
ing altogether.
The "drying off ' is moBt easily ac
complished when cows are fed on dry
feeds as much as possible.
There are a few persistent milkers
which can be done more barm by a
forced "drying off" than to let them
milk up to calving, but such cows are
decidedly few In numbers.
Publications for Farmers.
The following publications of interest
to farmers and others have been issued
by the Agricultural department of the
Federal government and will be fur
nished free, bo long as they are avail
able, except where otherwise noted,
upon application to the Superintendent
of Documents, Government Printing
Office, Washington, D. C:
Farmer' Bullein No. 158. How to
Build Small Irrigation Ditches. By C.
Johnston and J. D. Stannard, assist
ants in Irrigiation investigations, office
of experiment stations. Pp. 28. figs. 9.
This is a reprint of an article in the
Yearbook of the department of agricul
ture for 1900, entitled "Practical Irri
gation," giving methods for laying out
and building small irrigating ditches,
using only such implements as are
found on most farms or can easily be
made by the farmer.
Farmers Bulletin No. 187. Drain
age of Farm Lands. By C. G. Elliott,
rainage expert, irrigation investiga
tions, office of experiment stations.
Pp. 40, figs. 19. Explains the effects
and advantages of drainage and de
scribes implements and methods suited
to a variety of conditions in humid and
irrigated regions.
Farmers' Bulletin No. 263. Practi
cal Information for Beginneis in Irri
gation. By S. Fortier. Pp. 40, figs.
5. This gives suggestions as to the se
lection of an irrigated farm, the ac
quirement of a water right, the prepar
ation of land for irrigation, the con
struction of farm ditches, and the ap
plication of water to crops.
Farmers Bulletin No. 20. Modern
Convenienes for the Farm Home. By
Elniina T. Wilson. Pp. 48, figs. 27.
This discusses heating, water supply,
nd sewage disposal for farm homes,
nd the arrangement of houses and
grounds.
Farmers' Bulletin No. 277. The Use
of Alcohol and Gasoline in Farm En
gines. By C. E. Lucke and S. M.
Woodwad. Pp. 40, figs. 12. This gives
the general resutls of experiments in
the use of alcohol in the ordinary in ernor urges the enactment of a bill pro
ternal combuetion eneines on the Amer- viding for general primary elections
ican market, witn some
foreign experiments.
discussion of!
Beat two eggs separately and
well. '
Add to yolks one-half cup sugar ; beat t
then three-eighths cup boiling water
and another half-cup of sugar and one
fourth teaspoonful salt; beat again.
Add Juice and grated rind of one-
fourth lemon; beat agr" Now add
alternately the whites rt gg and one
level cup flour, sifted with one and one-
half teaspoonful baking powder. Bake
twvnty-flTt minutes In a greased, paper-lined,
shallow pan
WILLIAMSON TO
HAVE NEW TRIAL
Supreme Court finds That
Judge Erred.
Trial
Land Office Rules Require an Illegal
Oath and Judge Hunt Wrongh
Advised Jury Oath Denying Any
Agreement to Sell Not Required
When Making Final Proof.
Washington, Jan. 7. Because the
judge before whom ex-Representative
Williamson was tried erred in his in
structions to the jury, the judgment of
the lower court was yesterday reversed
by the .United States Supreme court
and the case remanded for retrial.
That the indictment was correct, that
the admission of evidence was in ac
cordance with law and that tbe rulings
of the court were right and proper is
affirmed, but because the trial judge
erred in admitting certain testimony
with regard to final proof and because
he erroneously instructed the jury with
regard to this same evidence, tbe whole
case must again go to trial or the in
dictment must be quashed.
The Supreme court construes the
timber and stone act specifically to re
quire entrymen, at the time of making
application for land, to submit an affi
davit of good faith, showing that they
have no agreement, actual or implied,
to sell tbe land upon acquiring title,
but there is no requirement that such
an affidavit shall be made when final
proof is submitted. The indictment of
Williamson made specific reference to
the affidavit required by law, and did
not mention tbe similar affidavit which
is exacted by the land office regulations
at the time of final proof. Yet evidence
was admitted to show that various en
trymen had committed perjury in mak
ing such affidavits with their final
proof, and tbe judg), in his instructions
to the jury, specincally informed it that
it could return a verdict of guilty if sat
isfied that the evidence showed such
perjury had been committed at the
time of making final proof. The ad
mission of that evidence and the in
structions relating thereto proved the
undoing of the case against Williamson.
RAILROADS TAKE MEDICINE.
Rate Law Accepted With Good Grace
by Nearly All.
Washington, Jan. 7. More signifi
cant and important, perhaps, than any
other statement in the twenty-first an
nual report of the Interstate Commerce
commission, which was transmitted
today to congress, is that relating to
the attitude of railway officials toward
the new railroad law. In a discussion
of the operation of the act, the commis
sion says:
"By railway managers, almost with
out exception, the amended law has
been accepted in good faith, and they
exhibit, for the most part, a sincere
and earnest disposition to conform
their methods to its requirements."
The commission adds that it was not
expected that reforms could be brought
about without difficulty or delay, but it
is unquestionably the fact that great
progress has Deen made, and that lur
thej improvement is clearly assured.
To a gratifying extent there bas been
adjustment of rates and of "abuses"
by the carriers themselves. Methods
and usages of one sort and another
which operated to individual advantage
have been voluntarily stopped and it is
not too much to say that there is now a
freedom from forbidden discriminations
which is actual and general to a degree
never before approached. As this pro
cess goes on, as special privileges dis
appear and favoritism ceases to be even
suspected, the indirect but not less cer
tain benefits of the law will become
more and more apparent.
Since the new rate became effective
on October 24, 1906, the commisssion
has granted relief in the form of cor
rective orders in many cases. Upon
November 4, 1907, tbe commission had
rendered decisions in 105 contested
cases. In 45 of these orders were made
against the defendant carriers; in 45
the complaints wure dismissed.
Warrants for Eviction.
New York, Jan. 7. More than 600
warrants for the eviction of tenants
participating in the strike for lower
rents were issued today in the Munici
pal court. The papers authorize ilia
mediate eviction of the tenants against
whom they weie drawn. It will un
doubtedly take a score of marshals
nearly two weeks to serve the notires.
The tenants are maintaining a stout
fight and announced today that the
landlords of 51 houses had already
agreed to reduce rents. The East Side
was calm todav.
Favors Local Option Law.
Columbus, O., Jan. 7. The message
of Governor Harris was read to the leg
islature yesterday afternoon. The gov-
with the Australian ballot system;
placing of telephone companies under
supervision of the state railroad com
mission, with power to regulate rates..
and commends to the favorable consid
eration of the assembly the adoption of
county local option.
From Japan to Portland.
Victoria, B. C, Jan. 7. According
to advices by the steamship Empress of
China today, a leading paper of Tokio
says the Osaka Shoshen Kayasha is
preparing to open a steamship line be
tween Portland, Or., and Japan and
China.