Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 1916)
T L DAILY EDITION VOI vZxZli"Tr.. " " CHANTS PASS, JOSKPIHNK COUNTY, OREGON, MONDAY, r&UttXASlX 7, 1018. y ' WHOLE NUMBER 1868. . ; No Other Town in tiie World the Size of Grants PassHas a Paper With Full Leased Wire Telegraph Service. 3 ED EXPLOSION Workmen Are Blown to Bits When Mixing House cf the Du Pont Powder Company Is Wrecked at Noon Today Tacoma, Fob. 7 .Throe dim war blown to blu when an exploalon wrecked th gelatin mixing tow Al MA of tha Du ront Powder company at lm I'ont, Wash., at noon today. The canto of the explosion, though not yet positively known, U believed to have been caused by the clogging ot the machine. Window In the village of Du Toot were ahattered and per son walking In the rtreeU were thrown to tho ground. , The dead: M. P. Jeff, John Doll and Oust Wolfe, all workmen In tha mix ing plant The bodlea were reduced to atomt and aearchor had not found any por tion! of their remalna two hour alter the explosion. Mr, Wolfe, who be came a mother only a few day ago. la aald to have gone Inaane alnc the Accident. Hark McMillan wi walking near ..the plant at the time of the, explosion, lie waa hurled aeveral feet and aeri oualy Injured. No other buildings at the plant were damaged, toeing 'widely separated. Tacoma, Feb. 7. Three workmen re reported to be dead aa the result ot an explosion In the mixing plant of the Du Pont Powder company at Du Pont, near here, at noon today. The explosion wrecked the telephone wire and tt waa difficult to obtain details of the accident. At the city offices of tho company no Information wa forthcoming. House were damaged as far aa six mile from Du Pont by the force ot the explosion, the cause of which la not known. FIOOD SPREADS RON IN ARKANSAS TOWNS Little Rock, Ark., Feb. 7. While flood water roared dangerously past Arkansas City todsy, cltlxens there were optlmUtlo that strengthened levee would hold back the threaten ed destruction. Tho floods already have spread ruin In more than 15 towns, taken a toll of 17 lives and .. ed out thousands of dollars' worth "of property, leaving hundreds npon hundreds homeless. HIGH SOCIETY WEDDING San Francisco, Feb. 7. Leonard D. ttarde, ion of a Portland magnate, -and his brtde, nee Sophie Stern ot this city, are honeymooning today. Tholr wedding yesterday attracted a large number of society people. Tho bride Is a daughtor ot M. M. Stern, tor many year Canadian Pacific gen eral agent here. MOOSE MAY UNITE ELEPHANT AND Sacramento, Fob, 7. -At hi office 'today Governor Johnson Isstiod a i -written statement that I quite slgnl ' 'flcant politically. " - ' "I do not abate one Jot my pro i ' gresHlvIsm," he wrote, "nor shall I. Vy' At Chicago In Juno, when ' the re i publican and progressives assemble for tholr annual conventions, if tlny i -ran meet upon a common ground and soloct a candidate In sympathy with progressiva principles, T assume they j will unite and go forward together." me e m f WHEAT TO ALLIES London. Fob. 7. While Roumaula continue her apparent preparation to plunge into the war atruggle, Bui Kar and Turk forcea are moving on tho Roumanian border to meet the concentration more there, aald Milan messages today. From another source it wa report ed that the central power bad de manded a partial Roumanian demo- bHUation, along with a pledge or benevolent neutrality toward the Teutou. Thin, It waa ald, wa Ig nored. , Newspapers hero dealt at length with tho situation today and corro borated exclusive I'nlted Prws dis patches Saturday allowing Roumanian activities that lead to the belief that Itoumunta Intends soon to link her self wilh the allies; From the Milan correspondent ot the Chronicle came a report that the central powers have protested against tho sale by Roumanla of 80,000 car loads of grain to the allies. Rou- msnla, it was stated, replied that this move was necessary to safeguard her economic Interests. From this statement, It in believed Itounmnla Is convinced that the allies might bo In a position to deal harshly with her It she did not meet their deMlres. ' :"; Yet another report of the situation said that Austria, had protested against the nomination of two Rou manian, parliamentary candidates pledged to acquisition of Transyl vania." : " .'' 8uddea Roumanian concentration within 50 yard of the Austrian line was reported by the Chronicle's Mar moults correspondent. WHITE PLAGUE III PRISON CAMPS (fly I'nlted Press Leased Wire.) Berlin, Feb. 7. Overcrowding, coupled with the severity ot the Rus sian winter, Is stamping the great white plague upon the prison camps ot Russia. ' Miss Louise Wamecke, of Hartford, Conn., and Miss Louise Kocbert, of Wheeling, W. Va Red Cross nurses, returning to : America after several months among tho Russian camps, reported to Ambassador Gerard that this plague will sweep the Muscovite empire unless measures are taken to stop the spread of tuberculosis In the camps. Russia ho refused permission for continuance of the Red Crosa relief work, so the entire unit ot worker Is returning to the United States. ' TACOMA FEARS (Dy United Press Leased Wire) , Tacoma, Feb. 7.--Wlth a atrong southwest wind blowing and rain pre dicted, the dnngor ot serious flood In the valley near here waa Imminent today unless the temperature remain lufficlently cool, gradually melting the, deep enow on the ground. ,, A moderate chlnook wind ha start- ed the thaw, but no damage haa re- ultod o tar. All trans-continental railroad line reported traffio condition (better to day than at any time since the anow storms began to Intortere with train movements. Frolght trains were started out ifor the first time In more than a week. ;" Should the weather turn suddenly worm In the Cascades, the danger ot slides would be Imminent, by reason of tho abnormal depth of the snow In tho mountains. The Northern Paclfia main line was blocked for several hours yesterday by a slide noar Stam pedo tunnel. m FLOODING RIVERS 1AY FQRIV) AT LIBER POOL The Coast Hills Contemplate Uniting in Supplying the French Government With Los Angeles, Feb. 7. Pacific coast lumber lotcreala may form a pool to soil 200,000,000 feet ot timber to the French government, according to the statement today of John 01n, man agof of the Charles R. McCormlck company of San Francisco. Los An geles and St Helens. Oregon. Olsen said the bid for the lumber had come from a well authenticated sourc, The sum of $3,000,000 would bo Involved in the deal, ..With snow In the woods and a big general de mand for lumber, Olsen believes the only way the contract could be handled would be to have a number of firms underwrite it. It is under stood the wood Is to be used for tim bering new trenches and for railroad work. ' : MIDVALE COMPANY GETS CONTROL OF RIVAL Philadelphia, Feb. 7. The Mid vale Steel ft Ordnance company has purchased control of the Cambria Steel company, according to official announcement. The Cambria stock sold at $81 a share, but the number of shares sold waa not announced. IlLACK HAND PLOTTERS ? CHARGED WITH CRIME Milwaukee, Feb. 7. Men believed to b black band plotters were hunted today by the police as the result ot discovery of a plot to kill Armlno Conte, Italian consular agent, with bombs. One exploded aa he was leav ing his apartment, and another was found near the entrance to the build ing. . He was not harmed. AND LUSITANIA CASE MAY CLOSE Washington, Feb. 7. Whether the 1 Impatient at German activities. In United States government shall make a compromise to meet mo uerman compromise In the Lusltanla situation waa slated tor decision at a White Houses-conference today between Pre sident Wilson and Secretary Lansing, German representatives Intimated today that' the Berlin foreign office haa made several concessions, and this apparently constitutes an Import ant factor In the case. Secretary Lansing, however, 'has declared that the "American attltudo remains unchanged" from that taken In the note demanding Germany dis avow the Lusltanla torpedoing ana to characterlxe It a "Illegal." Moreover,, the White House has said the same thing Insistently.' In view of the seeming deadlock In negotiations, officials are Impress ed with the gravity of the situation, despite Lansing's statement Saturday to the United Press "There can be no deadlock as long as Informal ne gotiations continue." It Is known that the president has gone over the memorandum Berns torft presented last week. He talked briefly over the telephone with Lans ing previous to the scheduled con- foronco, and It 1b understood he ex pected LanHlng , to have the whbje matter In shape tor decisive action following the conference. The only "White Houbo expression obtalnoble before tho conference was: "There will be no quibbling over It Is known that the White House UI1I0US DEBATE til 1 HOUSE Preliminary Skirmish in Pre paredness Battle Caused by Bill to Increase Ship building Facilities Washington, Feb. 7. After three hours of tumultuous debate a bill pro viding a $000,000 appropriation for Increase In the -' battleship building facilities of the New York and Mare Island navy yards wa passed by the bouse this afternoon. As a roll call was not demanded, no test vote was bad on the proposition tor prepared ness plans. Five-sixths of the appro priation goes to the Mare Island yard and the balance to New York. The money Is Intended tor new ways on which to build two new dreadnaughta authorized laat year. The debate on this measure and on a bill to Increase the number of An napolis academy cadets grew parti cularly fiery at times, and waa re garded aa the first open skirmish in the preparedness battle. During the mix-up Speaker Clark left his chair and said from the floor: "lent there any way of expediting the present slow . and poky .plan of shipbuilding? Why hasn't the navy department decided which types are best and then proceeded to build on the same plans, without wasting eight or ten months to draw new plans each time?" "Uncle Joe" Cannon took a hand by saying if there Is a crisis in the na tion's affairs, he Is ready to Increase taxes, borrow money and spare no expense in rushing preparedness. Chairman Fitzgerald of the appro priation committee asked if he were criticizing President Wil3on as sham ming an emergency. "The question ot Immediate need exlsta In the minds ot many," retorted Cannon. "I hope I am not guilty of 'less majeste' In inquiring. CO reporting that differences between the two nations is only a matter of phras ing, ibut It la not determined whether there will be a rebuke at such a course. ":' L .. ; :; : "Cortain Germans have been very diligent," was the phrase one official used In describing these German actlvltloa. MELTING SNOWS E SEATTLE (By United Press Leased. Wire.) Seattle, Fob. 7. IV'lth a light chlnook wind from the south melting the snow that haa kept the city traffic bound tor five days, Seattle Is today facing the worst flood" situation In many years. Storm warnings tor light craft have been ordered up. The streets are Inches deep In running slush, and grave fear was expressed at the city hall that down town sewer will be unable to handle the flood waters. School children waded from their homes to class rooms this morning for tho first time- since Tuesday. County Engineer Donton said today he did not look for a disaster, 'but admitted that many farms in the Snoqualmle valley would bo likely to suffer. , v ! ', MENAC HE OF OPERAT SPIES III Ottawa, Ont., Feb. 7. Sensational reports, of new plots against Canada were In circulation today aa parlia ment prepared to assemble tor the further Investigation ot the fires that destroyed the- $5,000,000 parliament buildings and two munition factories last week. , , Lending strength to the 'belief that spies are operating la Canada came word today that a supposed plotter had been fired on as he rowed toward the international bridge connecting the United States and Brldgeburg, Ont. This, taken with other recent suspicious incidents, added to the spirit of apprehension here. The Ninth Overseas battalion of 1,156 men arrived today at the Wel land canal to reinforce two regiments already guarding the canal and muni tlons plants there. This added pre caution waa taken as a result of rum ors of a plot to destroy the canal. At the same time the military re placed civilian guards at the plants, sentries were placed at public build ings and a continuous guard will be maintained for the canal and bridges. , The existence of plots to . wreck public buildings and munitions fac tories since the police found plans of the parliament buildings and several harbors In the trunk ot a German named Schwelber, who wrote from San Francisco a fortnight ago asking that the trunk be forwarded. Despite all of these suspicious oc currences. It was expected that Premier Borden. would express the conviction that the parliament fire waa accidental. , HOLD COliRTMARTlAL , (By United Press Leased Wire.) -San Diego, Feb. 7. The battleship Oregon, "bulldog ot the navy," steamed out ot the harbor this morn ing (for San Francisco, where, on Wednesday, will be called aboard her the courtmartial of Lieut H. H. Jones, accused In connection with the disappearance ot the naval code ibook from the destroyer Hull. The South Dakota will sail tonight. Command er Reeves of the Oregon will act" as judge-advocate during the trial. Rear- Admiral Fullam, commander ot the Pacific reserve fleet, today transfer red his flag from the South, Dakota to the Milwaukee. On February 15 the Oregon will be turned over to the California naval militia. Since the famous ship came here in December nearly 10,000 per sons have visited her. ACCUSED PASTOR r LEADS NOT GUILTY Orovllle, Cal., Feb. 7. Rev. Madi son Slaughter, Baptist minister, ac cused by Gertrude Lamson, 15-year- old Chlco girl, of assault, pleaded not guilty before Superior Judge Gregory today when arraigned on five Indict ments. The court overruled Slaughter's de murrers and motions to dismiss the Indictments on the ground that they are illegally drawn, and ordered the Ave cases to trial on March 7, 13, 20, 27 and SO. 1 Rev. Slaughter . waa accompanied to court by O. E. Hart, pastor of the Chlco Presbyterian church. No mem ber of the LaniBon family was present. DRUNKEX JAP BEATS WIFE NEAR TO DEATH Santa Rosa, Col., Feb. 7. In a drunken frensy, W. . , Murofushl, a Japanese, It la alloged, stabbed his wife, hammered her into unconscious ness, and then left her to die on a trolley track near here today. She wos discovered iby a motorman and taken to the Petaluma hospital. The husband was captured after a fight in his home near Woodward. - 11 en OREGON PORTLAND in H DANGER OF FLOOD Docks Will Be Covered by High Water, but Absence cf Backwater Frca fofca KaWiflSave Front StSisps Portland, Feb. 7. Because ta Columbia and Willamette river are playing a game of see-saw, no dis astrous floods were anticipated aa a result ot the quick thaw which loir lowed the unusually heavy now storms ot the pant month. Although the upper Willamette was on a rampage, naa yaaseu u stage at many points, and waa rising rapidly this afternoon, river men pre dicted that no great damage will re sult. The thaw melted snow chiefly la the valleys. The channel or tne wu lamette river can easily carry away all this water, because the Columbia river is low and a swift current . running. ,. , By the, time floods strike the Col umbia, the Willamette, torrent will have subsided. It was predicted Water will cover the lower docks la Portland, but will not flood water front streets -because the baek water . from the Columbia is lacking. A stage. of, 16.5 feet by Thursday was predicted' by the weather bureau. River bottom farms throughout the entire valley will be flooded, -but they meet this fate every year. ; Three warnings were Issued by the local west&er bureau today. They were against nigh water along ta river front, avalanches In the moun tains and a storm off the Oregon coast which may endanger small craft. Schools were opened in Portland today tor the first time since last Tuesday, when the snow and sleet storm forced them to close. Portland, Fob. 7. With the upper Willamette river rising several Inchea an hour, Portland shippers today be gan moving their good away from the lower docks. . .. A warm chlnook wind swept the en tire valley during the night, melting the snow which .has covered3 the ground for a month and sending a torrent down every gulley. The creat of the flood was near Corvallis today. At Eugene Amazon slough over flowed yesterday, flooding a portion of the city. . The quickest thaw on record, strik ing one of the heaviest snows on record waa expected to bring unpre cedented floods. From the headwaters to the mouth ot the Willamette a rapid thaw and rising waters were reported. At Rose- burg the Umpqua was 'said to be on a rampage. At Canyonvllle the moun tain streams were running bank-full. Outside the Willamette valley the thaw was not so rapid. Great dam age to fruit trees was feared at Hood River, where sleet fell heavily during the night on top ot 86 inches of snow. RIVER IS MILE innr it c L Hit (By United Press Leased Wire.) Eugene, Feb. 7.The Willamette river spreads but for nearly a mile opposite Eugene today. With a total precipitation of 2.5 Inches In 36 hours, the river is seven feet above flood stage today, and still rising. The highest point of the flood Is expected this afternoon. The rain has ceased. Some damage was reported to farms along the river bottoms, but farmers were prepared for floods and the suf fering Is comparatively slight. UGEIIE MIU '0 1,