COUNTY TUESDAY, JANUARY 4,
THE FOLK
,1918.' '
: . I 5
:, - Bm. I
0
wtwti
Published Each Tuesday and Friday.
Office 617-519 Court Street
Telephone Main 19
BY LEW A. CATES.
Subscription Kates.
One Tear 1-80
Biz Months 75
Three Months
No subscription taken unless paid
for in advance. This is imperative.
. Entered as second-class matter in
the Postofflce at Dallas, Oregon.
PRICE OP GASOLINE.
The federal department of justice
it is reported, is planning a little in
vestigation in a direction that will be
pleasing to about a million automobile
owners scattered throughout this
country. The object of this inquiry
will be to discover the reason tor the.
recent drastic advance in the price of
gasoline, and particularly to discover
if there has been any violation or tne
Sherman anti-trust law. The users
of gasoline have already "discover
ed" the higher prices, which prac
tically amount to double the prices
they were paying during the recent
months of summer. But they, like the
government officials, are at a loss to
account for this change, and they will
be very glad to know if there is any
"good and sufficient reason theretor.
A widespread impressian prevails
perhaps started and encouraged by
the big manufacturers or gasoune-
that the increased price for the latter
is in some way connected with the
European war situation; that - M tur-
opean countries are talcing a larger
portion of the American supply of
gasoline, with the natural result ot
higher prices for lioi"e cun-inr-crn.
This may be so, although as home con
sumption of this commodity must inn
teriallv diminish with the advent of
cold weather, we could spare a con
siderable larger qunnllity for foreign
ers without affecting the price in the
manner that has been experienced.
There is also a recollection of previ
ous years when the gasoline price lias
gone up with cold weather, despite
diminished home consumption and. no
chance to lay it on war conditions.
And 'a good many persons probably
have figured it out that when the big
oil mngnnites "need the money" they
simply push up the prices, and are
able to do this in spite of the so-called
law of supply and demand.
To arbitrarily mulct the winter
users of gasoline, however, is not ex
actly the fair thing Ito do, and it is no
wonder that nutoists who continue to
use their cat's in cold weather object
to paying two prices for 'their gaso
line, simply to keep up "the level of
profits to correspond with the sum
mer months, when the consumption of
this commodity 'a much larger. To
them, therefore, it is welcome news
to learn that the federal 'authorities
are suspicions of anti-trust law vio
lations in this connection, and that
an investigation is planned to discov
er the truth. If this suspicion is ver
ified, moreover, gasoline users will
hope to see the oil magnates brought
up with a round turn and severely
punished for their greedy manipula
tion of prices. For in the eyes of a
gasoline user there is no more rep
rehensible crime in the list than to
"soak" the poor consumer, who gen
erally has plenty of other troubles
without being forced to pay two pric
es for his gasoline.
DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
Immigration statistics, furnished in
the annual report of secretary of the
department of labor, serve to again
call attention to one of the difficult
Iproblenis which this country must
face and solve in anticipation of the
ending of the Kuroiean war. Thought
ful students of the immigration prob
lem as a whole long have held that
anything which would check the influx
of hundreds of thousands of foreign
erg annually would lie a welcome
change of conditions. Secretary Wil
son shows that during the past fiscal
year only about one-third as many
aliens came ito tlie United States as
during the previous year, the figures
being approximately 435,000 for 1915
as against 1,400,000 for 1914. This,
of course, was mainly due to the war.
It is significant, however, to note tint
the departures of foreigners, even in
eluding the thousands of reservists
sailing to join the colors ot their re
spective countries, show a marked de
crease. It must be remembered (hat
the reports of cabinet officers cover
only the fiscal year ending June 30.
For the year ending June 30, 1914,
which elosed before the European war
began, 634.000 aliens emigrated as
against 384,000 for the year ending
June 30, 1915. For the twelve months
of the calendar year, however, 204,
000 sailed during 1915 as against 303.-000-during
the preceding year, and, as
noted, the 1915 figures inclade the re
servists. The inherent peril of the situation
lies, not in the gratifying decrease in
the number of aliens arriving, bat in
certainty that the end of the war
will, in all probability, earns the flood
of immigration, stemmed by thewar
itself, to rush upon this country with
redoubled volume and force. It is
measonable to suppose that the United
Wtates will appear m more inviting
light than ever when the last remain
ing tie of patriotic necessity is prov
en by the coming of peace and when
Europe will be ithe least desirable of
all places on the globe in which to
live. That immigration will very ma
terially increase is a foregone con
clusion and the problem which ought
to be taken up without loss of time is
a revision of the immigration laws
for the protection of all concerned.
This is one of the most vital fea
tures of comprehensive preparedness,
second only in importance, aside from
that of defensive protection, to indus
trial preparedness which will shut out
the vaat floods of cheap foreign-made
(roods certain to be dumped into this
country, if immediate steps are not
taken to protect American industry.
Even the tremendous assimilative
powers of this country would be test
ed to the utmost if they had to meet
a flood of foreign goods and a horde
of aliens, coming into competition
with American manufactures and pro
ducers on the one hand and American
workinemen on the other.
While America is the land of op
portunity for foreigners, it ought also
to be the land of opportunity for its
own citizens. And while no arbitrary
and uniuslt obstacles should be placed
in the way of the entry of desirable
immigrants, it has long been under
stood with a growing degree of dis
quietude that the immigration laws
have practically thtrown down ;the
bars and admitted desirable ana un
desirable alike. How best to make the
laws equitable without weakening
their primary intent, which is to ele
vate the standard of American citi
zenship and conserve the interests of
the nation, is a problem to which
many persons are now giving profound
consideration.
BELGIUM'S APPRECIATION.
The deep and sincere appreciation
of the Belgian people for the succor
and relief afforded to them by this
nation has been nicely expressed in
the address of Cardinal Mereier, pri
mate of Belgium, to the American
committee of relief. Gratitude and
appreciation for food and clothing.
however, will not in the orjinion or
the cardinal, measure the final influ
ence of this nation's charitable ac
tion. The wise and delicate way in
which this charity has been handled,
he says, has served to also teach a
valuable lesson in self-help, and he
looks on the example of American
initiative and patriotism to help his
struggling people in their revival of
nationality after the war, as the high
est gift of America to Belgium.
The war of ideals that underlies
the strife of anus appeals with pe
culiar force ito the head of the Belgian
chuTch. Cardinal Mfcrciesr believes
that his people will be upheld in their
time of reconstruction "by keeping
their eyes on your great land of fe
cundating initiatives; your land ot
ambition for more comfort, nol
through covetousness of othe peoples'
wealth, but through tenacious will tl
individual endeavor, with a.patriotism
that ignores civil discord and draws
its strength from a collective love for
national progress."
Here is a penetrating vision of a
greater service to the world than suc-
oring ravaged peoples. The American
nation is not formidable in war, and
its collective industry lacks German
organization and efficiency. But it
has lived through a century of min
gled adversity and prosperity under
ideals that make for national progress
and individual freedom. These stand
for the best example to nations sum
moned to rebuild, as we had to re
build fifty years ago.
there may be a readjustment betweon
supply and demand, which will allow
the prices of regular meats to get bacK
somewhere nearer to former levels.
"SWEET '16."
The newborn year is being referred
to as "sweet '16," adapted, of
course, from the term commonly hp
rr,o to vniine- rirls when they reacl:
itta age of budding womanhood. Un
usual preparations were marte in Dal
las to greet the JNew lear wuu
same welcome and friendly recogni
tion that are customarily shown to
ward the feminine type of "sweet
'16," and the festivities and celebra
tions were referred to as "repeti
tions" in honor of the coming guest.
It would seem that this is a wry
pretty fancy, and not without appro
priate significance. The New Year is
always widely welcomed on its ar
rival, but there are reasons why the
world in eeneral looks forward to
1916 with especial hope and pleasur-
ioWb unticiDations. Its predecessor
was a year of exceptional troubles,
worries, losses, sorrows and disap
pointments, and all over the world
there is an abiding hope for batter
things to come in the present year.
It is confidently expected, in fact,
that this year will bring an end to
the terrible war which is devastating
the nations of Europe, and the re-establishment
of peace and friendly re
lations. It also is expected that end
ing of the war will be followed by a
marked revival of commerce and in
dustry, and by fresh advances in the
jealm of science, art, education and
religion. In fact, there is a wide
spread hope, which virtually amounts
to an anticipation, that wonderful
changes are in store for the people of
this world, and that the year will
not pass before many of these changes
become actually operative.
There is, therefore, an appropriate
connection in the reference to 1916 as
"sweet '16," ithus according to the
New Year the charm and attractive
ness possessed by the typical young
woman who has trassed the age of
cliildhood and is about to turn the
corner of maturity, with full promise
of service and with joyful eagerness
to fulfill her mission in life. In the
same manner it is hoped the year
'16 will also prove a "sweet 'lfi,"
and will not disappoint the many fond
expectations which are connected with
its advent.
, -
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HORSE-MEAT FOR FOOD.
Horse-meat has long been used for
food in many parts of the world, and
even in this country more or less of it
has probably found its way to market,
although usually disguised by some
other name. It would appear, in fact,
tthat the trade in horse-meat has
reached considerable proportions at
the great metropolis of New York,
for the board of health of that city
has just decided to formally legalize
the slaughter of horses for food pif
pnses. The only difference this will
make, we are told, is that hereafter
there will be closer official supervis
ion over the slaughter of such animals,
and (he places where the products
are sold and served.
No real objections can be urged
against the use of horse-meat for
food, and perhaps a genuinely useful
purpose may be served in thus econ
omizing on a product which otherwise
would largely go to waste. Of course
there is a sentimental aspect con
nected with the question, leading to
prejudice against horse-meat, which
will deter many from adopting this
custom. The excessively high prices
for nearly all other kinds of meats,
however, mar lead not a few to ex
periment with the cheaper snbtfitute.
cheapness being the chief attraction
of food of this character. The Amer
ican people generally, however, will
continue to show preference for other
kinds of meats, at the same time
hoping that sometime in the future
MORE TROUBLE.
Just when we had arrived at the
conclusion that we had practically
overcome all the difficulties to which
the automobilist is heir to, a hitherto
unknown problem bobs into the arena.
It is known as petromortis, or
automobile gas poisoning. One man
is dead from the disease. The thing
is new to science, and as yat has not
made its appearance in Dallas. Per
sons who are subject to vertigo may
be attacked when in a close, smelly
garage. The danger lies in a failure
of certain elements in the gasoline to
oxidize. In any event there is a
quick suffusion of a violent gas that
renders the victim faint. Thus, if the
exhaust of an automobile continues,
the result is almost instant death.
The Observer isn 't as handsome to
day as formerly, and all because of
the struggle for supremacy across the
big pond. It is now practically im
possible to buy a white sheet of paper
of the quality on which newspajiers
are printed, and hence the dingy ap
pearance of this publication. We
don't like it, but there's no alter
native. The manufacturers are un
able to secure the proper chemicals,
and there you are.
The announcements of epidemics of
colds and other forms of illness that
are finding their way through the
news columns these days serve as a
reminder that one of the best ways to
promote ailments of this sort is by
keeping the windows closed tight.
Colds particularly have no better
friend than bad air; they have no
more relentless foe than fresh air.
THE PERRYDALE SCHOOL HOUSE
tt,w the guidance of Prof. R. G.
Dykstra, the Perrydale schools have
one of the largest and most energetic
Industrial clubs in Polk county, ami
its efforts will be made a very con
spicuous part of the county show next
fall, when its display will probably
be one of the largest and most per
fect among the big array that is sure
to be seen there. Students are en
rolled in all of the fourteen projects.
The Dairy Herd Record club has a
siecial organization of its own and
the boys make frequent trips to the
neighboring dairy ranches and score
t.lio hum ns well as the cattle. ' This
work is done under the supervision of
the Oregon Agricultural, college ex
tension department. In addition to a
lively industrial club the district has
the "following organizations: Par
ents' and Teachers' association, brass
band of 30 pieces, orchestra, dramatic
club and athletic association.
ti u-liool building was lust sum
mer enlarged to afford additional ac
commodations to the increased numlier
of pupils, and the Perrydnle district
now has one of the best appointed ns
well us one of the best equipped
buildings in the rural realms of the
county, as shown by the accompany
ing pi'dkife, for which The Observer is
indebted to Mr. Dykstra. Two thous
and dollars were expended in making
the betterment, and already the com
munity which is responsible for the
improvement realizes that it made n
wise move when it authorized the bet
terment. Prof. Dykstra is greatly interested
in educational work, mid loses no op
portunity to improve conditions. He
is also active in what may be termed
"side-lines" to the regular course,
and under his careful direction the
Perrydale schools are rapidly coming
to the front.
EFFICIENCY AIM OF SCOUTS.
Dallas Boy Scouts Interested in
Brockway's Remarks.
"Like many other things showing
performance and power, the scout
movement can lie traced hack to wide
ly separated sources where construc
tive ideas came to boy workers and
were tested with varying degrees of
success," says J. E. Brockwny. In
America there have been a number of
organizations, methods, plans and
principles that have proven effective.
"There is a call for the scout move
ment because the boys in our modern
life, and especially in our cities and
villages, do not have the chance, as
did the boys of the past, most of
whom grew up in the country, to be
come strong, self-reliant, resourceful
and helpful, and to get acquainted
with nature and outdoor life, with
out special guidance and training.
Therefore, this movement brings the
boys together in patrols and troops,
and seeks to cultivate in them cour
age, loyalty, patriotism, fellowship,
self-control, courtesy, kindness to an
imals, usefulness, cheerfulness, clean
liness, thrift, purity and honor. It
believes that, with such training,
American boys will, as men, be lead
era in progress, peace and all things
right and good.
"The scout movement is not mili
tary in thought, form or spirit, al
though it does instill in boys such
virtues as honor, loyalty, obedience
and patriotism. The uniform, the pa
trol, the troop and the drill are not
for military tactics; they are for the
unity, the harmony and the rhythm of
spirit that boys learn in scouting. It
is in the wearing of the uniform and
the doing of tilings together, as scouts,
that they absorb the force and truth
of the scout law, which states: 'A
scout is a friend of all, and a brother
lo every other scout.' "
The federal income tax records
show there are nearly a thousand per
sons in this country who may be class
ed as millionaires, although the chanc
es are the list is still larger, as many
probably preferred to lie about it
rather than pay the tax to put them
in this classification.
Apparently Justice Hughes does not
appreciate the fact that a lot of peo
ple in this country are relying on him
to save them from CoL Roosevelt.
In one respect, at least, the Ford
peace plan has scored a triumphant
success. He wanted to spend some
money for the cause of peace, and be
has had his way about it
What hurts Mr. Ford most of all.
perhaps, the fact that he never even
got a chance to show hit samples af
ter be rescued Europe.
KOTICE!
The Dallas drug store will observe
the following hours, beeinning Jan-
nary 1: Sundays, 9 JO to 12 noon.
Weekdays, 7:30 a. m. to 8:00 p. m.
FTIXER PHARMACY
CONRAD STAFRIN"
C H. MAXOCK
tr ....
Sleigh Owners Have Harvest.
Those few fortunates who were
possessors of sleighs and cutters on
Sunday and Monday evening reaped
a bountiful harvest from the rent of
the vehicles. But the evnrhitnni
rates are probably justified in view of
the fact that enough snow for sleigh
ing falls only once in a number'oc
years. Livery stables ordinarily do
not have cutters, but some of them
manased to borrow from friendly
farmers on Sunday, and those who
owned them got them down from the
rafters in the shed and dusted them
off for the semi-occasional harvest.
Anxious easterners, and the few Ore
gomans who know the delights of
sleigh-riding waited their turn at the
vehicles and paid just what was asked
by the owners.
ROSE SLIPS FOR SCHOOLS.
Polk Schools Have Opportunity to
Beautify Grounds.
Four .thousand Frnu Karl Druschki
rose slips, rooted ami growing, are to
be given away this college year to
the four-yenr high schools of the
slate by the University of Oregon.
The plants arc to he set out on the
high school grounds nnd cared for.
Any time after the first of January,
the desired number of slips from 12
to 20 will be shipped prepaid on the
request of the high school principal,
the chairman of the board, or the
president of the student body. The
requests will be filed and filled in or
der of receipt, but some of the east
ern Oregon shipments will lie held up
until after the hard freezes.
H. M. Fisher, superintendent of the
university grounds, says that the
roses are a uniformly hard and vig
orous variety. The two bnndred foot
hedge from which the slips are cut,
is even now full of white buds. Most
of the 1600 cuttings sent out last year
grew, Mr. Fisher says. It was' the
first time the offer had been made,
and there were more requests than
could be filled. Even the grade schools
began asking for them. Mr. Fisher
says that by close trimming the par
ent hedge could furnish as many as
10,000 slips, so prolific is it.
The only receipt asked by the ex
tension division of the university,
through which application for the cut
tings should be made, is acknowledge
ment through the local paper.
Mr. Ford Not An Applicant.
"I have not been, am not and will
not lie an applicant for the office of
county school superintendent when
Mi Seymour resigns," savs Prof. W.
I. Ford, city superintendent of schools.
Mr. Ford's name has been mentioned
among possible successors to Mr. Sey
mour, but he is not seeking the position.
Prof. B A. Teats, superintendent
ot the Independence schools, wa.T in
"anas ior several days last week.
Miss Ava Coad was the guest of
fr'Hcm friend on New Yeora
Alas, Too True.
One plain reason why taxes in Ore
gon are so high is because those
things that are done, and must be
done, benefit a tomimrail,-. , .j
U he same could be of benefit to many
Iwithsu a.i.i::A..i L a
""uuviuu cosi. xue lew have
to pay what would be apportioned
among the manv if ! .
here. The only' way to escape high
r.n tub 1B ... . I. . . .'. ?
-..- . . uiuurc oiners lo add to he
taxable properties. The more growth
and development the lower the taxes.
No theory will actuallv reduce the
arooum of money necessary for mu
nicipal, county and state eovernmenU.
More population and
merit, and more settlement of lands
will lower the taxes to each one. In
eastern eities, counties and states the
expense of conducting the govern
ments is greater, but there are more
to share and make lighter the bur
dens. We have city, county ,nd tta
governments in a 9fi.030-qnare mile
S'lSlSl"? ly 671819 POP"1"'""
000. and a goodly portion of it tied
op reserves that do not assist i.
ne payment of taxes. It i, the his-
1- Z'H- W ate
-" romrf" the property-boloer.-Woodbur
IudependenV
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