m FLOUR PRICES RISE; BREAD TO FOLLOW federal Investigation Being Considered With Reference to Bakers. LONDON CHARGES ARE DENIED Members of Chicago Board of Trade Say Farmers Hard Hit Must Recover Weather Losses. Chicago The Federal Trade com mission may take a hand in the prob lem of America's breadstuffs supply if bakers made good their threat to in crease the price of bread on account of the advance in wheat and flour. This possibility loomed Saturday with the arrival from Washington of Edward N. Hurley, chairman of the commis sion. Prospects that bread will soon feel the effects of the soaring market wer'e increased when millers announced an increase of another 20 cents a bar rel in advertised brands of spring wheat flour. This brings the price to $8.30, an increase of 70 cents in three days. During his three or four days' stay in Chicago Mr. Hurley will make an informal inquiry into soaring wheat and flour prices, as well as the threat ened advance in the price of bread. The results of his findings will be em bodied in a report which he will sub mit to the commission on his return to Washington. "Before leaving Washington I was asked by the commission to look into this matter, particularly as Chicago is a grain and flour center," Mr. Hurley said. District Attorney Clyne began Sat urday to check up figures on the rise in the price of flour and wheat. Replying to a London dispatch, quoting the Daily Express, which said that the rise in bread which goes into effect in London Monday, is due to manipulation in Chicago, members of the Chicago board of trade declared that such statements showed ignorance. "The article in the London paper," said Caleb H. Canby, ex-president of the board of trade, "shows lack of knowledge of actual conditions. Ad justment in prices and conditions come together, and the situation is much different from last year." "Our sharp advance in the price of wheat," said Robert McDougal, "is merely in response to American crop conditions and the world supply situa tion. Europe is in a terrible predica ment for supplies of wheat and natur ally is much concerned over price bulges. Income Tax Limit Not to Be Changed by Democratic Vote Washington, D. C Yielding to a flood of protests from the country and from senate and house members of their own party, Democrats of the sen- ate finance committee reconsidered Saturday their decision to lower the exemption in the income tax law from $4000 to $3000 for married, and single persons to $3000 and $2000, respec tively, but voted to make the rate of tax on the lowest taxable class of in comes 2 per cent instead of 1 per cent. This action was approved latei1 by the caucus. Had the committe declined to yield on the amendment the Democratic sen ate caucus probably would have re versed it. The amendment increasing the surtax on incomes exceeding $2,- 000,000 from 10 to 13 per cent is re tained. The caucus voted down pro posals to make the surtax as high as 15, 20 and even 25 per cent, as some senators advocated. The Democratic caucus continued consideration of committee amend ments and had before it the proposal agreed on by the committee, striking out the specific excise taxes on muni tions manufacturers and substituting a 10 per cent net profit on the profits of all manufacturers of munitions ana wares that enter into munitions. Aid for Syrians Blocked. Washington, D. C Turkey has re fused to grant the request of the Unit- u4 St-atoa that a neutral committee be permitted to undertake relief work in Syria, where thousands of native Christiana are rennrted to be starving, Charge Miller, of Constantinople, in a pahlecrram received at the State de partment Saturday, said the Turkish government had informed mm renei operations in Syria were considered unnecessary because crops there were better than anywhere elBe in the em pire. Austria to Get New Note. Washington, D. C. The State de partment has assembled for transmis sion to the Austrian foreign office ad ditional data regarding the Austrian submarine attack on the American tanker Petrolite, supporting the charge of the Petrolite's captain tnai tne at tort was made in violation of interna tional law. The United States already has demanded an apology, punishment of the submarine commander ana rep aration. GREAT BRITAIN EXPLAINS TO U. S. HOW NEUTRAL MAIL IS EXAMINED Washington, D. C. An explanatory statement of how Great Britain's ex amination of mails is being conducted was presented Tuesday to Secretary Lansing by the British embassy. It is preparatory to the more comprehensive reply to American representations now being prepared jointly by the London and Paris foreign offices. Figures show that the average time for examination of intercepted mail is from one to three days. The minimum ay to mail between the United States and Holland is given at two days and the maximum at seven. Danish mails have been delayed from seven to ten days, when it has been necessary to remove them from a ship; otherwise only four days. "It is admitted," says the state ment, "that at the outset neutral cor- Leads Russians to Victory. GEM. BRUSILOFF General Brusiloff is the new hero of the Russians. He took the place of Grand Duke Nicholas in command of the armies of Russia on the Eastern front, and has succeeded in smashing the armies of Austria. Mme. Brusiloff is the sister of Mrs. Charles Johnston, wife of the New York author. respondence in which enemy interests were in no way concerned was sub jected to a delay, which is greatly re gretted and which has since been re duced to a minimum. All preparations which seemed necessary were made, but unfortunately those responsible for them were not aware of some of the difficulties. "For instance, there was no reason to suppose that (as proved to be the case) mail bags marked as dispatched from one neutral country to another would contain nothing but mails for or from an enemy country, that bags marked as containing printed matter would contain rubber, coffee, jewelry, etc, sometimes disguised as newspa pers, as well as corrsepondence of all kinds, registered and unregistered, or that persons writing to or from enemy countries would already have adopted the practice of sending their lettters under cover to intermediaries in neu tral countries, or that great numbers of complete sacks appearing to contain merely business circulars from neutral countries would contain in reality noth ing but propaganda from Germany un der covers bearing neutral postage stamps. "These and similar unforseen pecu liarities made it impossible until the staff engaged had been largely in creased and had become accustomed to them, to select on any fixed principle those mail bags which, when all could not be examined within a reasonable time, should be forwarded without ex amination." Italian Boys on Duty, Rome, via Paris Italy's Boy Scouts are to have their share in the war. The minister of War have called out all the boys belonging to the organiza tion for service until school opens in October. These scouts will be divided into two' classes. Boys over 15, with their parents' consent will do duty in the war zone as guards at railroad sta tions and depots. Those younger will be enrolled in the territorial service to be stationed at hospitals, mobilization centers, munitions factories, aeroplane stations and hangars. Liquor Destruction Ends. Girard, Ala. Destruction of whisky and beer which had been seized from alleged violators of the prohibition law ceased here Tuesday on order of Cir cuit Judge Alston, when counsel for the owners filed bond for appeal to the state Supreme court from judge Al ston's former decision ordering the li quor's destruction. It is estimated that $125,000 worth has been poured out by the Bheriff the last few days. Turkish Reply Rejected. Washintgon, D. C. New represen tations to Turkey in behalf of starving Syrians will be taken to the Porte by Abram I. Elkus, the new American ambassador, who received his final in structions Tuesday from President Wilson and Secretary Lansing before departing for Constantinople. The United States does not accept as suffi cient Turkey's statement that the Sy rian harvest is ample. U it? 4 'hsM ' NORTHWEST MARKET REPORTS; GENERAL CROP CONDITIONS Portland Wheat Bluestem, $1.12 per bushel; forty fold, $1.08 ; club, $1.07; red fife, $1,071; red Russian, $1.06. Millfeed Spot prices: Bran, $26 26.50 per ton; shorts, $2929.50; rolled barley, $31.5032.50. Corn Whole, $38 per ton; cracked,- $39. Hay Producers' prices: Timothy, Eastern Oregon, $18.5020 per ton; alfalfa, $13.50 14.60; wheat hay, $13.5014.50; oat and vetch, $12 12.50; cheat, $11; clover, $10. Butter Exchange prices: Cubes, extras, 25c per pound; prime firsts, 25c. Jobbing prices. Prime extras, 2730c; butterfat, No. 1, 27c; No. 2, 25c, Portland. v Eggs Oregon ranch, exchange prices, current receipts, 26c per dozen. Jobbing prices: Oregon ranch, can dled, 2627c; selects, no bid. Poultry Hens, 1415c per pound; broilers, 1617c; turkeys, live, 20 22c; ducks, ll14c; geese, 89c. f Veal Fancy, 12c per pound. Pork Fancy, llc per pound. Vegetables Artichokes, 76c$l per dozen; tomatoes, 75c$1.25 per crate; cabbage, $1.75 per cwt; garlic, 10c per pound; peppers, 56c per pound; eggplant, 78c per pound; lettuce, 30 35c box; cucumbers, 60c80 per dozen; peas, 45c per pound; beans, 4 7c; celery, 7585c per dozen; corn, 1025c. Potatoes New, $1.862 per sack; Walla Walla, $2. Green Fruits Apples, new, $1.25 1.75 per box; cherries, 510c per pound; cantaloupes, 90c$2 per crate; peaches, 8580c per box; watermel ons, lilc per pound; plums, 75c $1.35 per box; pears, $12; apricots, $11.10; grapes, $1.752.25; black berries, $1.25; loganberries, $1.25; raspberries, $1.601.75. Hops 1915 crop, 810c; contracts, nominal. Wool Eastern Oregon, fine, 23 26c; per pound; coarse, 3032c; val ley, 8033c. Cattle Steers, prime light, $6.75 7.10; heavy, $6.506.75; good, $6.256.50; cows, choice, $5.25 5.50; medium to good, $4.605; or dinary to fair, $44.50; heifers, $5.505.75; bulls, $36; calves, $3.507. Hogs Prime light, $9.60 9.75; prime strong weights, $9.25 9.50; good to prime mixed, $99.25; rough heavy packing, $8.759; pigB and skips, $8.508.75. Sheep Spring lambs, $8 8.26; common, $5.506; choice yearlings, $66.25; good, $5. 60 5. 75; choice wethers, $5.756; choice ewes, $! 5.25; common, $2.603. .Quartz Claims Are Opened. Holland, Ore. The "Portland" group of gold mining claims located near this place in Josephine county, and owned by V. C. McKinney and Wade V. Lewis, of Portland, has been recently leased to the Kerby Mining & Development company. A stamp mill with a capacity of 20 tons has already been installed on the property and is now ready for continuous operation, a considerable body of muling ore hav ing already been blocked out. Hereto fore this section of Southern Oregon had been considered wholly a placer region, but in recent years many gold quartz properties have been opened. Klickitat Tax Goes Up. Goldendale, Wash. The Klickitat county commissioners convened Thurs day as a board of equalization, as re quired by law, to review the 1916 real estate assessment and hear complaints of taxpayers who object to values placed on their property by the asses sor. They will probably be in session about two weeks. The assessed value of real property in Klickitat county this year was raised from 25 per cent of the cash value, as determined by the assessor, to 60 per cent, the latter be ing the full ratio required by the law. Ranchers Holding Wheat, Wilbur, Wash. The majority of farmers will not contract .their new wheat at $1 the bushel, and some farmers are holding their last year's crop. Saturday 20,000 bushels were contracted for at $1 a bushel. Wheat harvest will begin about August 14. The weather has been favorable for ripening the grain. The acreage is smaller than last year. So far the supply of labor has been equal to the demand. Pays $40,000 for Wheat Crop. Starbuck, Wash C. W. Pearson, a rancher 12 miles west of here, sold to C. F. Actor, grain buyer, 40,000 bush els of wheat for $1 per bushel net, The varieties were divided as follows: Turkey red, 14,000 bushels; sixty- three, 12,000 bushels; bluestem, 9500 bushels; one hundred twenty-three, 500 bushels. The grain is to be de livered at the Pleasant View ware house on Eureka flat. 39 Holsteins Bring $11,000. North Yakima, Wash. Thirty-nine Holstein cows from the Tyson-McKeel-her ranch in the Moxee were sold and Bhipped Thursday to the Bitter Root Holstein company at Corvallis, Mont. The price was $11,000. All were reg istered. Several cows with high rec ords were included. Harvest on at Gaston. Gaston, Ore. The weather the past week has been delightfully cool and breezy, with nights quite cool and fog in early mornings. Threshing has just begun. Baling started last week, Mr cj! u CH'jf Hjb o I tssass This Is one of the heavy British guns trenches for many miles. This remarkable photograph just lecelved, shows the Austrian troops on the peaks of the great range of mouutulns where the Italians and Austrian troops are engaged. It Is reported that In many places the Ice and snow are beginning to melt and great holes are encountered everywhere. Blocks of snow and ice are sliding down the mountains, imped ing the progress of the Alpine fighters HUGHES' SUCCESSOR John Hessln Clarke of Cleveland, O., umumuted by President Wilson to be associate justice of the United States Supreme court, has been federal Judge for the northern district of Ohio since 1014. SEACOAST TRENCHES IN FLANDERS )toUt(H4tfi:tl'mi , -"-11, -v-v... A..vf... ,W.m,,tf,,t,Mrf,.,aJttt Photograph shows the remarkable construction of German trenches on the sands of a beuch on the extreme seacoast of Flanders. Boomproof shelters have also been built out of timber work, and sand and sand bugs. GUNS THAT ARE BATTERING THE lu action ou the west front, whore such AUSTRIAN TROOPS IN THE TYROL ALPS " p " of both countries. ON SUPREME BENCH 4 ' f I Co 0 f I V J GERMANS a It 4 cannon have stnuslied the Gorman MINE USED AS A BUOY 11 This Gerninn mine, Intercepted on the Tigris river, Is being used as a' buoy by the British. Unique Document. In the "American Mugazlne" Profj Churles Downer lluzeu tells some ludicrous Incidents of the Franco-j Prussian wur, describing a document: that Is a modern curiosity: "Cohesion was lucking, us were num- bers," he says. "Muny generals were( sent to command troops with whlcuj they were entirely unacquainted. "Not only soldiers, but sometimes! generals went astray, unublo to lliid their places, 'lluve arrived at Bel fort,' telegraphed General Illchel on July 21, 'can't find tny brigade; cau't find the general of the division. What shall 1 do? Don't know where uiyj regiments are.' This document Is prob ably unique in military records. An- other general hunted for his artillery stuff; another for a cuvulry corps which did not exist." ! Whiskers and Corsets. Putleuce 1 see tliut the first baby born In Lorraine, O., will receive from, merchants of the town gifts Including a theater puss for life and corsets or barber service for life, as the case may bo. Patrice It would be awful If the buby should cling to the corsets and decide to let the whiskers grow. . In These Days. 1 Wife You say you saw Miss Pick ering walking on the avenue. What did she have on? Husband I can't recall. i Wife Well, she must have had on something. Husband Quite possible, my dearj 1 probably overlooked It. Life. j 00p '' itEw '"'