f4 ...ft-flu .i-iV-'
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Followimr is summary of the main points of
rresident Taft'n message to the Sixty-first con
gress, which convened Tuesday, Dec. ". 1909. 1
To the Senate and the House of Repre
sentatives The relation of the United
States with all foreign governments have con
tinued upon the normal basil of amity and
sood understanding and are very generally
satisfactory,
Pureuam to the provisions of the general
treatv of arbitration concluded between the
Vnited States and Great Britain, April 4,
1008. a special agreement was entered into be
tween the two countries on January 17, 199,
for the submission of question relating to the
fisheries on the North Atlantic Coast to a tri
bunal to be formed from member of the
permanent court of arbitration at The. Hague.
In accordance with the provision of the
soeclal agreement, the Drlnted case of each
government waa on October 4 last submitted to
the other and to the arbitral triDunai ai me
Hague, and the counter case of the Ualted
States la now in course of preparation.
Negotiations for an International conference
to consider and reach an arrangement provld
lg for the preservation and protection of the
fur seal in the North Pacific are In progress
with the governments of Great Britain, Japan
and Russia. The attitude of the governments
Interested leads me to hope for a satisfactory
settlement of this question as the ultimate
outcome of the negotiations.
The question arising out of the Belgian an
nexation of the independent state of the Con
go, which has ao long and earnestly preoc
cupied the attention of this Government and
enlisted the sympathy of our best citizens, is
still open, but In a more hopeful stage. This
Uovemment was among the foremost in the
great work of uplifting the uncivllixed re
gions of Africa and urging the extension of
the benefits of civilization, education and
fruitful, open commerce to thit vast domain,
and is a party to treaty engagements of all
the Interested powers, designed to carry oyt
that great duty to humanity.
A convention between the United States and
Germany, under which the nonworklng pro
visions of the German patent law are made
Inapplicable to the patents of American cltl
aens, waa concluded on February 23. 1909, and j
( nmn in frrf. Negotiations for similar con
ventions looking to the placing of American
Inventors on the same footing as nationals
have recently been initiated with other Euro
pean governments whose laws require the local
working of foreign patents.
Under an appropriation made at the last
session of Congress, a commission was sent
on American cruisers to Monrovia to investi
gate the interests of the United States and
Its citizens In Liberia. Upon its arr val at
Monrovia, the commission was enthusiastcal
lv received, and during its stay In Liberia was
everywhere met with the heartiest expression
of good will for American Government and
people, and the hope was repeatedly expressed
on all sides that this Government might see
Its way clear to do something to relieve the
critical position of the republic, arising m a
measure from external as well as Internal and
financial embarrassments. , ,
The Llberian government afforded every fa
cility to the commission for ascertaining the
true state of affairs. The commission also
had conferences with representative citizens,
i.,. rnroieners and the representatives of
foreign governments in Monrovia. '"
made to various rarts of the republic and to
the neighboring British colony Sierra Leone
where the commission was received and con.
ferred with the Governor.
It will be remembered that the Interest or
the United States In the Republic of Liberia
springs from the hlttor'.cal fact pf the foun
cation of the republic by the colonization of
American citizens of the African race. In an
early treaty with Liberia, there is a provi
sion under which the United States may be
called upon for advice or assistance. Pursuant
to this provision and !n the spirit of the moral
relationship of the United States to Liberia,
that republic last year asked this Government
to lend assistance In the solution of certain of
their national problems, ana nemce mo
mission was sent. .
The Norwegian government, by a note ad
dressed on January 26. 1909. to the EP
ment of State, conveyed an Invitation to the
Government of the United States to take part
in a conference which, it is understood, will
be held In February or March, 1910. for the
purpose of devising means to remedy existing
conditions in the Spltzbergen Islands.
This invitation waa conveyed under the res
ervation that the question of altering the
status of the Islands as countries belonging
to no particular state, and as equally open
to the citizens and subjects of all states,
should not be raised.
His Majesty Mehmed V, Sultan of Turkey,
recently sent to this country a special em
bassy to announce his accession. The quick
transition of the government of the Otto
man empire from one of retrograde tendencies
to a constitutional government, with a par
liament and with progressive policies oi re
form and public Improvement, is one of the
important phenomena of our times. Consti
tutional government seems also to have made
further advance In Persia.
These events have turned the eyes or tne
world upon the near East. In that quarter
the prestige of the United States has epread
widely through the peaceful influence of
American schools, universities and mission
aries. There Is every reason why we should
obtain a greater share of the commerce of
the near East, since the conditions are more
favorably now than ever before.
Today more than ever before American cap
ital is seeking Investment in foreign countries
and American products are more and more
generally seeking foreign markets. As a con
sequence there are American citizens and
American interests to be protected on occa
s!"n by their government. These movements
of men. of capital and of commodities bring
peoples and governments closer together and
so form bonds of peace and mutual dependency,
as they must also naturally sometimes make
passing points of friction.
The resultant situation inevitably 'imposes
upon this Government vastly Increased re
sponsibilities. This Administration, through
the Department of State and foreign service,
Is lending all proper support to legitimate and
beneficial American enterprises in foreign coun
tries, the degree of such support being meas
ured by the National advantages to be ex
pected. A citizen himself cannot by con
tract or otherwise divest himself of the right
nor can this Government escape the obliga
tions of his protection in his personal and
property rights when these are unjustly In
fringed In a foreign country. To avoid cease
less vexations it is proper that in considering
whether American enterprise should be en
couraged or supported in a particular coun
try, the governments should give full weight,
not only to the National, as opposed to the
individual benefits to accrue; also to the fact
whether or not the government of the coun
try in question la in its administration and In
its diplomacy faithful to the principle of
moderation of equity and Justice upon which
lone depend International credit in diplomacy
as well as in finance.
The Pan-American policy of this Govern
ment has long been fixed in Its principles and
remains unchanged. With the changed cir
cumstances of the United States and of the
republics to the south of us, most of which
have great natural resources, stable govern
ment and progressive Ideals, the apprehension
of which gave rise to the Monroe Doctrine,
mav be said to have nearly disappeared and
neither the doctrine as It exists nor any other
doctrine of American policy snouia oe permu
ted to operate for the perpetuation of irre
sponsible government, the escape of Just ob
ligations or the Insidious allegation of domi
nating ambitions on the part of the United
Plate. Besides the fundamental doctrines of
our Pan-American policy, there have grown
up a realization of political interests, com
munity of Institution and ideals and a flour
ishing commerce. All these bonds will be
greatly strengthened as time goes on and w
recent request. In compliance with which this
Government tiaa lent the services of an offi
cer of the Army to be employed by the gov
eminent of Panama as Instructor of police.
The sanitary Improvements and publlo works
undertaken in Cuba prir to tne present au
ministration of that aovornment. In the sue
cetw of which the United States Is Interested
under the treaty, are reported to be mak
ing good progress nd, since the Congress
provided for the continuance of the reciprocal
commercial arrangement between Cuba and
the United States, assurance has been received
that no negotiations injuriously affecting the
situation will be undertaken without consul'
tat ion.
Man? vears aro diplomatic Intervention be.
came necessary for the protection of the
American claim of Alsop & Co. against the
government or Chile. m government ji
Chile, has freauentlv admitted obligation In
the case and had promised this Government to
settle It. There had been two aooruve at
tempts to do so througn arbitration, which
failed through lack of Jurisdiction. Now, hap
pily, as the result of the recent diplomatic
aeeottatlona. the government of the United
States and Chile, actuated by the sincere de
sire to free from any strain those cordial and
friendly relations upon which both set such
tore, have arreted bv a nrotocol to submit the
controversy to definitive settlement by His
Brltaanic Majesty uawara vii.
In the Far East this Government pre
serves unchanged Its policy of supporting
the principle of equality of opportunity
and scrupulous respect for the Integrity of
the Chinese empire, to which policy are
pledged the Interested powers of both East
and West By the treaty of 1903 China
has undertaken the abolition of the llkln,
with a moderate and proportionate raising
of the customs tariff, along with currency
reforms. These reforms being of manifest
advantage to foreign commerce, as well as
to the Interests of China, this Government
Is endeavoring to facilitate these measures
and the needful acquiescence of the treaty
powers.
When It appeared that China's likin reve
nues were to be hypothecated to foreign
bankers in connection with a great railway
project, it was obvious that the governments
whose bankers hold this loan would have a
certain direct interest In the question of the
carrying out by China of the reforms in
question. Because this railroad loan repre
sented a practical and real application of
the open-door policy, through co-operajion
with China by interested powers, as well as
because of it relations to the reforms re
ferred to above, the Administration deemed
American participation to be of great Na
tional interest. Happily, when it was as a
matter of broad policy urged that this op
portunity should not be lost, the Indispen
sable Instrumentality presented itself when
a group of American bankers of Interna
tional reputation and great resources agreed
at once to share in the loan upon precisely
such terms as this Government should ap
prove. The chief of those terms was that
American railway material should be upon
an exact equality with that of the other
nations Joining in the loan in the placing
of orders for the whole railway system.
After months of negotiation, the equal
participation of America seems at last as
sured. It is gratifying that America will
thus take Its share In this extension of
these great highways of trade and to be
lieve that such activities will give a real
impetus to our commerce, and will prove a
practical corollary to our historic policy in
the Far East.
The Imperial Chinese government, In pur
suance of Its decision to devote funds from
the portion of the indemnity remitted to
them to sending students to this country,
has already completed arrangements for
carrying out this purpose, and a consider
able body of students have arrived to take
up their .work in our schools and universi
ties. No one can doubt the happy effect
the associations formed by these representa- i
tive young men will have when they return
to take up their work in the progressive
development of their country. The results
of the opium conference held at Shanghai
last Spring, at the Invitation of the United
States, have been laid before the Govern
ment. The report shows that China Is making
remarkable progress and admirable efforts
toward the eradication of the opium evil,
and that ' the governments concerned have
not allowed their commercial interests to
interfere with a helpful co-operation In this
reform. Collateral investigations of the
opium question In this country lead me to
recommend that the manufacture, Bale and
use of opium and Its derivatives In the
United States be, so far as possible, more
vigorously controlled by legislation.
In one of the Chinese-Japanese conven
tions of this year there was a provision
which caused considerable public apprehen
sion, in that upon its face It was believed
in some quarters to seek to establish a
monopoly of mining privileges along the
South Manchurian and Antung-Mukden
railroads, and thus to exclude Americans
from a wide field of enterprise, to take part
in which they were entitled by the treaty
with China. After a thorough examina
tion of the conventions of the several con
textual documents, the Secretary of State
reached the conclusion that no such monop
oly was Intended or accomplished. How
ever, In view of the widespread discussion
of this question, to confirm the view it had
reacnea, tnis Government made Inquiry or
the imperial Chinese and Japanese govern
ments, and received from each of them as
surance that the provision had no purpose
inconsistent wfth the policy of equality ot
opportunity to which the signatories, In
common with the United States, are
pledged.
Under a provision of the act of August
5, lit09, I have appointed three officials to
assist the officers of the Government in
collecting Information necessary to a wise
administration of the tariff act of August
5. 190!. As to questions of customs ad
ministration, they are co-operating with the
officials of the Treasury Department and as
to matters of the needs and the exigencies
of our manufacturers and exporters with the
Department of Commerce and Labor in Its
relation to the domestic aspect of the sub
ject of foreign commerce. In the study of
foreign tariff treatment they will assist the
Bureau of Trade Relation of the Depart
ment of State. It is thus hoped to co-ordinate
and bring to bear upon this most im
portant subject all the agencies of the
Government which can contribute anything
to Its efficient handling.
As a consequence of section two of the
tariff act of August 5, 1909, It becomes the
duty of the Secretary of State to conduct
diplomatic business necessary to him In a
position to advise me whether any particu
lar country unduly discriminates against the
United States In the statute referred to. The
great scope and complexity of this work,
as well as the obligation to lend all proper
aid to our expanding commerce, it may ac
complish by the expansion of the Bureau of
Trade Relations, as set forth in the esti
mates for the Department of State.
I regret to refer to the fact of the dis
covery of extensive frauds In the collection
of the customs revenue at New York City,
in which a number of subordinate employes
In the weighing and other departments were
directly concerned, and In which the bene
ficiaries were the American Sugar Refining
Company and others. The fraud consisted
In the payment of duty on underweights of
sugar. The Government has recovered from
the American Sugar Refining Company all
that It is known to have been defrauded
of. The sum was received in full of the
amount due, which might have been recov
ered by civil suit against the beneficiaries
of the fraud, but there was an express res
ervation In the contract of settlement by
which the settlement should not Interfere
with or prevent the criminal prosecution
of every one who was found to be subject
to the fame.
fiscal year ending June 30, 1010, will ex
ceed the estimated receipts by 34.O7S,02O.
if to this deiU'll is added the sum to be dis
bursed for the Panama Canal, amounting
to 133.000,000, and $1,000,000 to be paid on
the rubllc debt, the deficit of ordinary re
ceipts and expenditures will be Increased
:o a totul rtottiit of $7:1,075, tl'.'O. This deficit
the Secretary proposes to meet by the pro
ceeds of bonds Issued to pay the cost of
constructing the Panama Canal. I approve
this proposal.
in order to avoid a deficit for the ensuing
fiscal yeur, I directed the heads of depart
ments in the preparation of their estimates
to make them as low as possible consistent
with imperative governmental necessity.
The result has been, as I am advised by
the Secretary of the Treasury, that the es
timates of the expenses of tne Government
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911
that Is, for the next fiscal year are less
by 35,OU3,ooo than the total appropriations
for the current fiscal year, and leas by $84,-
000,000 than the estimates for that year.
So far as the Secretary of the Treasury Is
able to form a Judgment as to future In
come ,and compare It with the expenditure
for the next fiscal year, ending June 30,
1911, Including the payments on account of
tne panana canal ana tne pumic aeot,
there will be no deficit In the year ending
June 30, 1911, but a small surplus of
$712,000.
In the present estimates the needs of the
departments and of the Government have
been cut to the quick, so to speak, and any
assumption on the part of Congress, so
often made In times past, that the esti
mates have been prepared with the expecta
tion that they may be reduced, will result
in seriously hampering proper administra
tion. Most of the great Industrial corporations
and many of the well-conducted railways
of this country are coming to the conclu
sion that a system of pensions for old em
ployes, and the substitution therefor of
younger and more energetic servants, pro
motes both economy and efficiency of ad
ministration. I am aware that there Is a strong feel
ing in both houses of Congress, and also in
the country, against the establishment of
civil pensions, and that this has naturally
grown out of the heavy burden of military
pensions, which It has always been the pol
icy of our Government to assume: but I am
strongly convinced that no other practical
solution of the difficulties presented by the
superannuation of civil servants can be
found than that of a system of civil pen
sions.
The business and expenditures of the
Government have expanded enormously
since the Spanish War, but as the revenues
have Increased in nearly the same propor
tion as the expenditures until recently, the
attention of the public and of those respon
sible for the Government has not been fast
ened upon the question of reducing the cost
of administration. We cannot, tn view of
the advancing prices of living, hope to save
money by a reduction In the standard of
salaries paid. Indeed, if any change is
made In that regard, an Increase rather
than a decrease will be necessary; and the
only means of economy will be In reducing
the number of employes and In obtaining a
greater average of efficiency from those re
tained In the service.
Two features of the new tariff act call
for special reference. By virtue of the
clause known as the "maximum and min
imum" clause, It Is the duty of the Execu
tive to consider the laws and practices of
other countries with reference to the Im
portation into those countries of the prod
ucts and merchandise of the United States,
and if the Executive finds such laws and
practices not to be unduly discriminatory
against tne united states, the minimum du
ties provided in the bill are to go into force.
Unless the President makes such a finding,
ihen the maximum duties provided in the
bill that is, an Increase of 25 per cent ad
valorem over the minimum duties are to be
In force.
Fear has been expressed that this power
conferred and duty imposed on the Execu
tive is likely to lead to a tariff war. I
beg to express the hope and belief that no
such result need be anticipated. The dis-
uicuun k ran Lea to tne executive by the
terms "unduly discriminatory" is wide. In
order that the maximum duty shall be
charged against the imports from a coun
try, it is necessary that he shall find on
the part of the country not only discrim
inations in its laws or the practice under
them against the trade of the United States,
but that the discriminations found shall be
undue; that is, without good and fair rea-
NEWS NOTES GATHERED FROM
VARIOUS PARTS OF OREGON
TO BUILD TO GOOSE LAKE.
Ten Million-Dollar Corporation Files Ar
tides at Salem.
Salem A $10,000,000 corporation hit
been organized in Arizona to build the
Portland, Lakeview & Eastern railway
from Portland through Multnomah
Clackamas, Marion, Linn, Crook, Klain
ath and Lake counties to Lakeview, o
somo point on Goose lake.
Also it is proposod to build a brand
from the lower bridge on the Deschutes
river, in Crook county, through Crook
Wheeler and Grant counties, along the
John Day river to a point near Canyon
I ity, and another branch from nea
Prineville through Crook and Harney
counties to a point near Harney lake.
The total mileage in Oregon is ex
pected to be about 500. The incor
porators named in the articles filed in
the ofliee of the secretary of state aro
William S. Dexter, Charles S. Elgutler
Edward S. Robinson, James Burns and
ciulney li. Kheinstrom, all or Omaha.
Roseburg Citizen Sues S. P.
Koseburg T. J. Williams, of Rose
burg, has tiled a sait in the circuit court
against tne cvmtiiern racine company
tor $ouuo.yu, tor being torcibly ejected
Irom a passenger train at Oregon Oitv
while en route trom Portland to Wilbur
December 14, 1908. In the complaint
Williams says that tor a valuable con
sideration he was supplied with a pass
by the railroad company from Portland
to Wilbur, where he then lived, but that
tho conductor of the train refused to
honor the pass or accept cash fare, and
violently abused and maliciously insult
ed him, and finally forcibly ejected him
trom tne train. .
Cheese Wins Gold Medal.
l-orest Grove Mr, and Mrs. O.
Brown, of this city, have received word
trom their son, I' rank Brown, a cheese
maker of Fulda, Wash., that he had
been notified by the authorities of the
A.-Y.-P. exposition at Seattle that he
had won the gold medal for the best
cheese exhibited at the fair, both as to
quality and preparation. Frank was
raised here, and his friends are much
pleased over his recognition by the of
ficials of the fair. Mr. Brown, senior,
is a cheesemaker by profession, and
taught his son the business.
Criminal prosecutions are flow proceeding
against a number of the Government officers.
The Treasury Department and the Depart
ment of JustUe are exerting every effort
to discover all the wrongdoers, including
the officers and employes of the companies
who may "have been privy to the frauds.
It would f-m to me that an Investigation
-r.o..,l far-mtlp. nirh Km th ereat hank of the frauds by Congress at present. iend
in; ine prooinn oi me Treasury Department
and the Department of Justice as proposed,
might, by giving Immunity and otherwise,
prove an embarrassment In securing con
viction of the guilty parties.
Perhaps the most Important question pre
sented to this Administration Is that of
economy of expenditures and sufficiency of
revenue. The deficit of the last fiscal year
and the certain deficit of the current year
prompted Congress to throw a greater re
sponsibility upon the Executive and the
Secretary of the Treasury than had here
tofore been declared by statute. This dec
laration Imposes upon the Secretary of the
Treasury the duty of assembling all the es
timates of the executive departments, bu
reaus and offices, of the expenditures neces
sary In the ensuing fiscal year, and of mak
ing an estimate of the revenues of the
Government for the same period; and If a
probable deficit is thus shown. It Is made
the duty of the President to recommend
the method by which such deficit can be
met.
The report of the Secretary shows that
the ordinary expenditures for the current
soon to be establ'shed in Latin-America, sup
ply the means for building up the colossal
Intercontinental commerce of the future.
My meeting with President Diss and the
greeting exchanged on both American and
Mexican soil. I hope, to signalize the close
and cordial relations which will bind together
this P.epubllc and the great republic Immedi
ately to the south, between which there Is an
vast network of material Interest.
I am happy to say that all but one of the
cae which for so long vexed our relations
with Venexuela have been settled within the
past few months and that under the enlight
ened regime now directing the government of
Venezueia. provision has been tr.arie ror arbi
tration of the remaining cases before The
Hague tribunal.
On Ju!y 30. llK. the government of Pan
ama aereed after considerable negotiation to
Indemnify the relatives of the Americas of-fl'-ers
and sailors who were brutally treated,
one of them having been killed by the Pan
ama police this year.
The sincere desire of the Pasama govern
ment to do away with a situation where such
an accident could occur Is manifest la the
Aero Tails to Ground.
Berlin, Dec. 13. A Wright aeroplane
which Captain Englehardt was piloting
over Johannisthal fiield today, lost its
balance and plunged to the earth. Cap
tain Engleharlt was unconscious when
picked op and removed to a hospital.
The extent of his injuries was not de
termined. Englehardt, who was a pupil
of Orville Wright, made a flight of 44
minutes and 30 seconds near Potsdam
on October 29, establishing a distance
record for German aviators.
The generosity of Congress has provided
In the present naval observatory the most
magnificent and expensive astronomical es
tablishment in the world. It Is being used
for certain naval purposes which might
easily and adequately be subserved by a
small division connected with the Navy De.
partment at only a fraction of the cost of
the present naval observatory. The official
board of visitors established by Congress
ohu uppuinieu in taut expressed its conclu
sion that the official head of the observatory
should be an eminent astronomer appointed
by the President by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, holding his place
by a tenure at least as permanent as that
of the Superintendent of the Coat Survey
or the head of the Geological Survey and
not merely by a detail or two or three years'
duration. I fully concur In this judgment
The platform of the successful party in
the last election contained the following-
"The Republican party will uphold at all
times the authority and integrity of the
courts, state and Federal, and will ever insist
that their powers to enforce their process
ind to protect life, liberty and property
shall be preserved Inviolate. We believe,
however, that the rules of procedure In the
federal courts with respect to the issuance
of the writ of injunction should be more
"'-"'"'"i ucuneu uy statute and that no
Injunction or temporary restraining order
should be Issued without notice, except
where Irreparable injury would result from
delay, In which case a speedy hearing there
after should be granted."
I recommend that in compliance with the
promise thus made appropriate legislation
should be adopted.
The second subject worthy of mention in
the Postoffice Denartment tB th
sity and entire practicability of establishing
powtal savings banks. The successful party
at the laet election declared in favor of postal
savings banks, and, although the proposition
finds opponents in many parts of the country
I am convinced that the people desire such
banks, and am sure that when the banks are
furnished they will be productive of the ut
most good. The postal wavlngs banks are not
nui iur me purpose or creating com
petition with other banks. The rate of Inter
est upon deposits to which they would be lim
ited would be so small as to prevent their
drawing deposits away from other banks
Following the course of my d languished
iiiruirur, x earnestly recommend to Con
gress the consideration and passage of a ship
subsidy bill, looking to the establishment of
lines between our Atlantic seaboard and the
eastern coast of South America, and as well
of lines from the west coast of the United
omic to Buum America, cnina, Japan and
the Philippines.
The year 1013 will mark the 50th anni
versary ot me issuance of emancipation proc.
lamation granting freedom to the negroes. It
wms ntting tnat this event should be prop
ery celebrated. Already a movement hag been
started by prominent negroes, encouraged by
prominent white people and the prew. The
r-iutn especially is manifesting Its Interest In
this movement.
i nave thus. In a message compressed as
mucn as tr.e sunjects win permit, referred
to many of the legislative needs of the coun
try, with the exceptions already noted. Speak
ing generally, the countrv Is In a hltrh state
of prosperity. There is every rea.m to be
lieve that we are on the eve of a substantial
business expansion and we have Ju.-t garnered
a harvest unexampled In the market value
of our agricultural products.
The high prices which such products bring
mean great prosperity for the farming com
munity, but on the other hand they mean a
very considerable Increased burden upon those
classes In the community whose vearly com
pensation does not expand with the Improve
ment In business and the general prosperity.
Various reasons are given for the high prices.
The proportionate Increaw In the output of
New Irrigation District.
Ontario A large delegation from
Ontario, Xyssa and the Owyhee went
to Vale this morning to meet with
the county court, which will consider
the boundaries of the South Side Mal
heur irrigation district which is to be
established at once if a proper showing
can be made to the court. All the lands
embraced in the proposed district have
practically been signed, except the
lands owned by the road companies,
and it is believed they will come in as
soon as the matter can be put properly
before the companies by their agents.
Valley Men Buy Fruit Trees.
Richland In the last 60 days C. E.
Logsden, representing the Washington
nursery at Toppenish, Wash., lias sold
enough apple trees in Eagle and Pine
valleys to plant (500 acres. The va
rieties mostly selected are Spitzen
bergs, Newtown Pippins and Winter
Bananas. The largest order wap said
to be a concern financed by Wr. M.
Ladd of Portland. This company will
set 00 acres to Spitzenbergs on its
large fruit ranch three miles north of
Newbridge.
DEVELOP CENTRAL OREGON.
Hood River Railway Company Plana
75-Mile Extension.
Hood River To bring the Hood River
valley into direct communication with
contra! Oregon and to connection with
tho Oregon Trunk line's Deschutes
road at a point near Dufur, owners of
the Hood River Railway company are
now planning a 75-mile extension of
the line, tapping tho vast agricultural
and timber regions south of Hood River
valley.
W. H, Eccles, of Hood River, presi
dent of the Hood River Railway com
pany, which operates trains between
Hood River and Parkdale, Or., a dis
tance, of 22 miles, is authority for the
statement.
"Just at present," said Mr. Eccles,
"we have reached no final decision as
to when work on the extension will
be begun. But our plans are far enough
along to warrant our saying work will
begin very soon.
"Running from Parkdale, Or., we in
tend extending the Hood River line
into central Oregon, probably connect
ing with the Oregon Trunk line west
of Dufur, and running thence in a
westerly direction.
"Present plans intend the building
of between GO and 75 miles of track
into central Oregon, where a great ag
ricultural region and fine timber belt
will be tapped."
To Have Union High School.
Richland Preliminary steps are be
ing taken toward establishing a union
high school in Richland by combining
the six public school districts of Eagle
valley into oue high school district
and Issuing bonds as provided for by
the law passed by the last session of
the legislature. The matter cannot be
voted upon until tho regular school
election in June, but as there is prac
tically no opposition the uistrict will
undoubtedlv be established.
Debating League Issues Bulletin.
University of Oregon, Eugene The
demand by literary societies through
out the state for the Oregon High
School Debating League Bulletin has
icen large, but there is still a small
supply to be had for the asking from
the University of Oregon registrar.
The bulletin contains a full discussion
of effective debating, in addition to
complete bibliographies on a number
of important subjects.
REIGN OF TERROR.
Increase of School Children.
Freewater The Milton-Freewater
school district No. 31 shows 208 fami
lies in the district with children be
tween the ages of 4 and 20 years. The
total number of families in the dis
trict is 533 with 722 children of school
age in a totalpopuation of 2,000. The
sexes of the children are 350 male and
370 female. The census report shows
a big increase on the preceding year.
Property Valuations in Linn.
.Albany The valuation of the prop
erty in the different towns of Linn
county has just been completed, and
sums up as follows: Albany, $2,9.12,
000; Lebanon. $5S2.325; Brownville,
$347,390; Halsey. $221,493; Scio, $117,-
070; Sodaville. $30,510; Sweet Home,
$37,970; Harrisburg, $27S,348.
Will Improve Dallas Depot.
Salem The railroad companies carry
ing out of Dallas, the Southern Pacific
and the Salem, Falls City & Western,
have promised tho railroad commission
that depot facilities at Dallas will be
improved during the coming season.
Much complaint as to tho inadequacy of
the Dallas depot has been received.
Gills Form Debating Team.
University of Oregon, Eugene A
debating team composed of University
of Oregon girls will meet a similar
team from the University of Wash
ington in the spring. Women of the
Forty Acres Bring $14,000.
Richland Dr. C. E. Luttner, of
Walla Walla, closed a deal this week
with the Eagle Valley Development
ompany tor 40 acres ot land two miles
northeast of Richland. The price was
$14,000, which includes a perpetual
water right. A force of men is clear-
ng the land of sagebrush, and as soon
as spring opens the entire tract will
be set out in Yellow Newtowns and
Spitzenbergs.
Director of Oregon High Schools.
University of Oregon, Eugene The
I'niversitv of Oresron expects to issue.
s a supplement to the February num
ber of the University Bulletin, a com
plete directory of all Oregon high
schools. It will contain the names of
the teachers, the subjects taught by
ar-ri, their preparation, the number of
years in the. high school course, etc.,
nd is to be sent out tree of charge.
High Price for Desert Claims.
Vale Edward Dohertv, the well
known sheep man who resides here, has
sold his desert claim, and also one
owned by his wife, comprising 640
acres, to the Little Willow Land and
Irrigation company. The land is 12
miles from Vale and brought $16,800.
Zelaya Said to Have 500 Political Pris
oners in Chains.
Blueflelds, Nicaragua, Dec. 14. Tt
it learned from an authnritut ive source
that a reign of terror is being main
tained in Managua, and that not less
than 500 persons identified with poli
tics are in chains in the prisons. A
Catholic societ' has been ordered to
cease sending supplies to the prisoners,
who may starvo to death, as they are
Allowed only 2 cents a day for food.
Corporal punishment is meted out daily
to various alleged offenders.
Zelaya, to create an impression that
the sentiment of the people of Managua
is hostile towards America and Ameri
cans, recently ordered Amolid Estrada,.
a prominent liberal and a brother of the
revolutionist chief, to organize a dem
onstration against the United States.
This he refused to do.
It is understood that Dr. Julian Trias,.
minister-general, has been making at
tempts to start an uprising in his favor
as Zelaya 's successor, but whether with
Zelaya 's consent is not known. It is
reported also that Trias' home has been
surrounded by soldiers. Further au
thoritative dispatches state that 500 of
Zelaya 's forces have been piitrenched to
prevent American marines from pussing
over the bridges into Corinto.
Since last Thursday, when General
Estrada became certain that (leneral
Vnsmiez, in command of a portion of
Zelaya 's troops, was attempting to make
a detour of Rama to seize an unguarded
river point and descend upon Bluefields,.
forces of the provisional government
have been acting with great energy.
Rama has been occupied, and less im
portant river landings have been strong
ly guarded. All available boats have
been held in reserve to rush reinforce
ments to any point that may be threat
ened. General Chamorro and 250 men ar
rived today to assist in guarding tho
entire 00 miles of the Eseondido river,
from Rama to Bluefields. General
Chamorro left 300 men guarding the
land passage between Bluefields and
Grevtown.
FOUR DROWN IN COLUMBIA.
Three Rescued After All-Night Struggle
With Death.
Y"i?y the chlef. m',dlunl of - University are taking much interest in
Spirits' Advice Obeyed.
London. Itc. 14. A sensation has
been caused in society bv the mysteri
ous disappearance of Viscountess
Churchill, sister of the Earl of Lonsdale.
Ladv Churchill arrived at St. Pancras
station with her son and two daughters
-November ZH. bhe has not been seen
since, although advertisements have
been published to trace her. According
to rumors. Lady Churchill recently con
suted with a fpirit medium, who as
sured her it was her duty to leave her
husband, Viscount Churchill. ,
value, furnishes a suhstantial explanation of
at leasi part or tne increase In prices. The
Increase In population and the more expensive
mnit? oi living- or tne Deonie. wn cn hv ni
been accompanied by a proportionate Increase
in acreage production, may furnish a further
reason.
It Is well to note that the Increase In the
cost or living Is not confined to this coun
try, but prevails the world over, and that
thrse who would charge Increases In prices
to tho exfwMng protective tariff must meet
the fact that the rise in prices has takon
place almost wholly In those products of the
factory and farm In respect to which there
has ben either so Increase In the tariff or
In many Instances a verv considerable re
duction. "WII.MAM H. TAFT.
The White House. Decemner 7.
Strikebreakers Blown Up.
Struthers, O., Dec. 9. A large house,
occupied hy tin workers brought here
to break the strike at the plant of the
American Sheet & Tinplate company,
was dynamited early today. The house
was occupied by the families of Harry
Birney and Louis Smith, who were re
cently imported. William Birnev. father
of Harry Birney, was almost suffoeted
by being buried under debris, and six
other members of the families sustained
slight injuries. The house was prac
tically demolished. i
literary society work and hope to win
this debate.
Most Rain for 13 Years.
Albany The rainfall for November
was 11.24 inches, the largest amount
of rain falling during the month of
November for the past 13 years. In
November, 1903, it was 11.02. Since
1896 it has been exceeded only once, in
February. 1904.
Motor Line for Union County.
Union The Central railroad will
soon receive a gasoline motor car, cap
able of running 40 miles per hour, for
use in making connection with the
Union line trains. The motor will
operate up the line as far as Cove.
Rufus Hag Rail Complaint.
Salem Residents of Rufus complain
to the state railroad eommission of in
adequate depot facilities there. Care
lessness in handling freight and general
inadequacy of train equipment is alleged.
PORTLAND MARKETS.
Wheat Bluestem. $1.15; club, $1.05;
red Russian, $1.01 '; Valley, $1.02;
Turkey red, $1.04; 40-fold, $1.04.
Barley Feed and brewing, $28.50(7?'
29 per ton.
Corn Whole, $33.50; cracked, $34.50
per ton.
Oats No. 1 white, $31.50((7 32.50 per
ton.
Hay Timothy, Willamette Valley,
$15(Wsl9 per ton; eastern Oregon, $lftfi
21; alfalfa, $16(?f 16.50; clover. $15W16;
cheat, $15(al6; grain hay, $15(ffl6.'
Butter City creamery extras, 39c;
fancy outside creamerv, 33(f(37c per lb.;
store, 22(ti24c. (Butter fat prices
average l'i.c per pound under regular
butter prices.)
Eggs Fresh Oregon extras, 45c per
doen; eastern, ai((i .u 2c per dozen.
Poultry Hens, 16c; springs, 16c;
roosters, 910c; ducks, i.5(?t)16c; geese,
11 12c; turkeys, live, 20c; dressed, 25c.
Pork Fancy, 0i,(7r1lc per pound.
Veal Extras, 1 1 (f? 1 1 Vi-e per pound.
Fresh fruits Apples, $1(73 box;
pears. $1 (a 1.50 per box; cranberries, $9
(a 9.50 per barrel.
Potatoes Oregon, 50(7 70c per sack;
sweet potatoes, lc per pound.
vegeranies ArticnoKes, vac per
dozen; eaboago, l'Jc per pound; hot
house lettuce, $1.50 per box; horse
radish, $1.50 per box; pumpkins, lb(td
l'.-c; sprouts, 8c per lb.; squash, (u)
l'tc; tomatoes, 75c(7T$l; turnips, $1
per sack; carrots, $1; beets, $1.50; par
snips, $1.50; onions, Oregon, $1.50 per
sack.
Hops 1909 crop. 18(7i)22c; 1908
crop, nominal; 1907 crop, 12c; 1906
crop, 8c.
Wool Eastern Oregon. 1623c lb.;
Mohair, choice, 25c pound.
Cascara bark 4'4e per pound.
Hides Dry hides, 18(7?I9c per pound:
dry kip. Tn 18c pound; drv calfskin,
19(7T21c pound; salted hides, 10V.(7)lle:
salted calfskin, 1516c pound; green,
ic less.
Cattle Best steers, $4.50(77 4.75: fair
to good. $4(7? 4.25; medium and feeders,
$3.50(773.75; best cows. $3.50(7? 3.75: me
dium. .3rt?.3.75; common to medinm,
..Wf7 3.7.,: bulls. $2f7'2.50; stags, $2.50
TJ3.50: calves, light, $5.25(7f5.50: heavy.
$44.75.
Hogs Best, $8(7? 8.25: medium, $7.50
'7".s5; stocVers, $4(74.75.
Sheep Best wethers, $4.50(0 4.75;
fr to good. $4(7T4.25; best ewes. $2.75
f;r to good, $3.50(73.75; lambs,
$3'7?5.33. ,
Rainier, Or., Dec. 13. Four young
people, residents of Mavgers, Or., met
terrible deaths by drowning in the Co
lumbia river early Sunday morning,
when a launch in which they were rid
ing turned turtle at Burton's landing,
spilling tho party of seven into the icy
cold water. Three of the party wer
rescued after hanging to grim death
for seven hours, which to them -o::iod
like centuries.
, The dead are: Miss Selma (T?;idrick
son, aged 17; Anna Hendrickson. aged
19; Grace Wand, aged 10, and Lee Bar
ber, aged 20.
The rescued are: Pearl Proctor, aged
20; Frank Knsper, aged 20, and Amos
Card, aged 19.
A party of 10 or 12 young people
from Mavgers, 10 miles west of Rainier,
came here Saturday to spend the even
ing at the skating rink. After the clos
ing of the rink at 10 p. M a party of
seven left Rainier in the gasoline launch
Hendrickson for Mavgers.
The seven clung desperately to the
overturned boat.
Lee Barber, who hung on for nearly
an hour and a half, was first to let go,
"I'm getting sleepy," he said "I'm
going to sleep," and he slipped back
into the water and did not rise. Tho
next to drop off was Miss Selma Hen
drickson, who held on perhaps a half
hour longer. Soon after Anna Hen
drickson, her sister, went to a watery
gra ve.
The survivors clung to the boat until
(! A. M., making just seven hours in all,
when the tugboat Burton came along
and answering their cries rescued them.
Troops Arrive at Panama.
Colon, Dec. 14. The United Slates
transport Dixie with 700 marines
aboard, which sailed from Philadelphia
December (i, arrived nt ' o'clock this
morning.
The Dixie proceeded to dock 11,
Cristobal, where cars were in waiting
to transport tho men, provisions and
ammunition immediately to Panama.
Washington, Dec. 14. A hurry call
for marines to proceed with the cruiser
Prairie on her interrupted trip from
Philadelphia to Colon was made upon
the three Now England navy yards today.
Surfman Hears Aeroplane.
New York, Dec. 14. William Leach,
a surfman of the Fire island life-saving
station, believes he heard an aeroplano
when he was doing patrol duty tonight.
First he heard a buzzing high up in
the air, and whatever made it. he nvs.
passed directly over his head. The noiso
resembled the rattle and hum of a high
speed motor. All efforts to convince?
Leach that he may have mistaken a
flock of geese for an aeroplane only
made him laugh. He says ho has heard
too many geese to confuse the sound ot
their flight with the exhaust of a gaso
line motor.
Suicide Tries Three Methods.
New York, Dec. 8. Charles Schaffer,
a salesman out of employment, tried
three methods of suicide today before
he succeeded in killing himself. First,
he lay on his cot at his home and at
tempted to garrote himself with a
towel. Unsuccessful, he slit his throat
and wrists with a razor. Still death
did not come, and Schaffer staggered
to the bathroom and turned on the
water in the tub. When the tub was
half filled he climbed in and liy face
downward until he drowned.
Mine Burns, Six Entombed.
Weatherport, Kv.. Dec. 15. A recn
party entered the Baker mine of the
West Kentucky Coal company today in
search of six negro miners imprisoned
in the second level by an explosion yes
terday. Fire in the mine has been burn
ing steadily, and it is hardly possible
that the rescuers will penetrate far.