VOL. XXTU.
JOSEPHINE
COON
ORE FOR EXHIBIT
SOITIIERX OREGOX AND NORTH
CALIFORNIA CONGRESS.
MEETS AT MEDFORD JAN. 17
Co-operation of all Mining Men la
This District is De
sired. January 17 and 18 the Southern
Oregon and Northern California
mining congress will convene at Med
ford. This will be the third meeting
of the congress, the first being at
Ashland and the second in this city
July 18 and 19 last.
"Josephine county is expected to
make a good display of its mineral
resources at the congress, and as the
time is brief, it behooves every min
ing man and every resident of the
town and county who Is Interested In
making a good showing of ores to
lend all aid possible," said H. F.
Herzlnger today, and continued:
"Josephine county has received
splendid advertising on the coast and
in the east during the past seven
months, and the proper thing to do
Is to keep on advertising. Because
this little mining congress is almost
a local affair Is no reason for us to
grow careless; we must make a good
display. And I suggest that The
Courier give the matter all the pub
licity possible, to the end that min
ing men and prospectors of the coun
ty furnish ores from their various
properties.
"If the miners will send In or
bring in theUore I "will gladly care
for it at my office on Front street
until It is" time to get it to Medford.
And please say to the mine owners
not to send ore In with charges to
collect for transportation, as I have
no fund for this purpose, every man
furnishing ore will, I know, be pa
triotic enough to see that it gets here
without charges, that Is, he will If
his attention Is called to it.
"We will see that all ore gets on
display at the congress, where it will
be viewed by many men from other
parts of the coast and by some from
other states. This will aid the min
ing man in his desires to sell or In
terest capital in joining him.
"Everybody should boost for the
mining congress, as Medford will no
doubt do the handsome thing for ns.
and furnish some splendid features.
Every man in this city and county
who Is interested in mining or the
welfare of the county at large should
be in attendance both days. Let us
show our appreciation to Medford
and at the same time give old Jose
phine county and her great mineral
ledges fine advertising."
SCHOOL TAX LEVY FIXED
The school board of district No. 7
met Saturday and fixed the tax levy
for the district at nine mills. This
is the same figure as was fixed In
1910, which brought in a revenue of
$25,130 on an assessed valuation of
$2,792,258.
This year the assessed valuation
Is $3,200,000, and at nine mills levy
will bring to district No. 7 a sum a
little in excess of $29,000.
In addition to this revenue of $29,
000 the district will get $3,000 from
ithe county school fund, $3,000 from
the state, $4,000 to be appropriated
by the county11 court for the high
school and about $500 from tuition
and minor charges to students
making a grand total of $44,500.
AGED COUPLE HURT
From Thursday's Daily.
A. Morris, the O. A. It. teran,
who, with his wife, was thrown from
a buggy Tuesday evening when the
vehicle was struck by an automobile
belonging to R. W. Clarke of the
Rogue River Electric company, was
on the street today, showing bodi'y
evidences of the accident. Ap.' 1
how he felt Mr. Morris said
" " - ' 1 s.
GRANTS
"I feel sound from mv vnict
from the waist up I d0 not feel very
good. One rib on the right side Is
cracked and ray right arm gives me
much pain when I attempt to use it
too freely. My wife is suffering
acutely today from pain in one hip
and back. The doctor says serious
complications may result, and then
they may not, only time will tell.
"We would have escaped Injury had
not the automobile struck our buggy
the second time. When It first hit
us the impact scared my horse,
which plunged forward. I pulled back
on the lines and spoke to the animal
and had It down nearly to a walk
when the machine rammed Into us
again. Then I could do nothing more
with the horse, and we In
small box in the foot of the buggy,
which was to be used as a seat for
my daughter, who was soon due on
the train, fell out ahead of me and
on this box my side struck. This
cracked one of my ribs. My wife fell
On me. then to the ernnnH War foil
on me saved her from more serious
rjnry. '
Y0TE ON AMENDMENTS
SAID TO BE ILLEGAL
That army of Grants Pass voters
which went to the polls last week
and cast ballots for or against the
proposed amendments to the char
ter and for or against the commis
sion form of government might a
well have saved anxiety one way or
the other, for, says Mayor-elect
Smith, the whole proceeding was Il
legal, and the two amendments which
did carry are void. These two
amendments were to increase the
city treasurer's salary from $12.60
to $25 a month, and to require the
city auditor and police Judge to give
a bond for $5,000.
The reason given by Mr. Smith for
the Illegality of the vote Is that such
measures should have been filed
with the auditor 60 days before the
election. As it was they were not
filed until November 2, or there
abouts.
The mayor-elect, speaking of the
matter said:
"The reason ' why these two
amendments are void Is because the
state law providing for their submis
sion was not complied with.
"In the case of the state ex rel vs.
Portland Railway Light & Power
company. 56 Ore., 32, the supreme
court of the state held that the
amendment to the constitution re
serving to the people of towns and
cities the right of the Initiative ana
referendum Is not self-executing,
I. e., legislation was required to pro
vide for the methods of procedure.
The general law of this state (Laws
1907, p. 407) provides that all
measures submitted by a city coun
cil shall be filed with the city clerk
for submission not less than sixty
days before election.
"The amendments and charter
submitted at the last election were
not filed with the auditor for sub
mission till the second day of No
vember." COUNCIL KILLS ALLEN'S
ELECTRIC FRANCHISE
John R. Alien got a franchise
from the city council of Grants Pass
to build an electric railway between
this city and Ashland. That was In
December 1909. Thursday evening
the city council, not seeing any trol
ley cars running up and down Sixth
street, killed Mr. Allen's franchise.
"As Mr. Allen has had from Decem
ber 1909 to the present to get busy,
p.nd as Mr. Allen has departed for
greene pastures, we thought It
about time to kill his franchise, as It
had been forfeited long ago any
way," said a member of the council.
"And then we thought it best to
pet rid of It as other people are
premising to build the line, and will,
so they say, ask for a franchise.
Sow we will be ready for them If
thtf nvan business and can wring
the eoin out of eastern financiers
with which to build the road."
Yvii TWn arrived Tuesday from
j,:!.,,n,h ya'Af ard after a short visit
wit?, fri-nds here left Wednesday
,v.'!"- !"" bl home at Cottage
Grovo to :nn& the holidays.
TASa, JOSEPHINE COCXTV, OREGON. FRIDAY, DECEMBER J5,
LOCAL
TALK PROSPERITY
LOCAL It I SI NESS MEN VOICE
PROSPERITY' REPORT.
OUTLOOK IS ENCOURAGING
Many Merchants, Rankers and Oth
ers Find no Stagnation iu "
TIUs City.
The regular monthly meeting of
the Grants Pass Commercial club,
held at the club rooms Monday even
ing, was not as well attended as
many, but greater Interest was taken
in discussion than at any previous
meeting for some time past.
The club orchestra, which 1b always
a feature of the meetings, was on
hand and rendered music. Then the
meeting was called to order and the
secretary's minutes and monthly re
port read, followed by reading of a
number of letters of Inqury showing
the character of requests whlch-.are
received at the rate of 10 to 20 dally.
The matter of a creamery, and alBO
a milk condensory, which have been
before the club, were discussed and
letters from Interested parties read,
showing that the probability of se
curing one or both of these enter
prises Is encouraging.
The question of growing alfalfa
and other fodder was discussed and
the Imperative need for Immediate
Irrigation shown, likewise the neces
sity for land owners to clear and
prepare land for crops If fodder was
to be raised to feed the necessary
number of cows.
The garbage question, and the
need for some practical means of
removing garbage from residences
weekly, was brought up and this
evoked considerable discussion. It
was finally decided that the secretary
address a communication to the city
council asking that the city take
some steps toward a practical solu
tion of this question. ..
The matter of large ulgns on the
business street was discussed and
the secretary Instructed to bring the
matter before the' Incoming council
and ask that proper restrictions as
to size of signs be made, In order
that the beautiful street may not be
obstructed.
Grants Pass Prosperous.
There has been Borne talk about
depression in business and In order
to combat this Idea the secretary
read the result of personal Interviews
with a number of business men of
the city who all report conditions
this year as superior to that of 1910.
These Interviews follow:
Statements of a number of Grants
Pass business men regarding the con
dition of business December 11, 1911,
as compared with the year 1910:
Cramer Bros. Hardware Co. Our
business for every month of the year
1911, with the exception of Septem
ber and October, has been better than
any year since we have been estab
lished. The year 1911 Is way ahead
of all years.
Grants Pass Hardware Co. Geo.
Newlands, Manager, says: Business
generally Is better now than for the
same time last year, collections are
much better; our business shows a
large Increase, especially In builder's
hardware and powder for land clear
ing. Our powder Bales are double;
wagons, buggies and pumping ma
chinery also show a large Increase.
We are well satisfied.
Jewell Hardware Co. Business Is
as good as at any time since we have
been established. Collections are bet
ter. Our chief Increase of business
Is In mining and building supplies.
Claus Schmidt, Grocer. Our busi
ness Is Just about the same. We are
growing steadily.
H. C. Bobzeln. White House Gro
cery. Our business Is about normal.
We notice a steady Increase In cash
sales.
Rogue River Hardware Co, Geo.
Riddle. President. Our volume of
business Is greater than last year, the
principal Increase Is In bullderi'bard-
MERCHANTS
ware, cement, paints and oils. Col
lections are fairly good. We art
carrying much heavier stocks and are
satisfied with buslneas generally.
Grants Pass Banking ft Trust Co.,
L. L. Herrlck, President. Business
conditions show a marked Improve
ment during the past three months,
more realty sales are being made.
C. P. Bishop ft Co., L. R. Steel
hammer, Manager. Our business for
1911 has been a material Increase
over last year In all departments.
Cash sales show a large Increase. The
outlook for Xmss trade Is good.
Josephine Grocery Co. Our busi
ness la ahead of last year. Cash re
ceipts are heavier the put few
months than for a corresponding time
last year.
Dixon & Co., Grocers. Our bus
iness Is about normal. We find cash
sales show an increase. Collections,
however, are not showing any im
provement. Geo. C. Sabln, Drugs. Buslnesa Is
good. While we anticipated It would
be slow this season we are agreeably
surprised.
Grants Pass Lumber Co. G. H.
Carner says we have sold enough
lumber to meet our expectations. We
are handling more than we expected
at this time of year. The building
outlook is good.
Gibson Grocery Co. Our business
this year Is quite a little more than
last. Our cash sales are greater and
our business generally Is better.
Kinney & Truax, Dry Goods, Shoes
and Groceries. H. L. Truax says up
to November lath our business was a
big Increase and the Increase was
cash. The Increase In all three de
partments was surprising to me.
Josephine County Bank. In a
financial way there has been a mark
ed Improvement the past sixty days.
During the past summer there hat
been a general business depression
throughout the United States. This
has perhaps been caused from the re
adjustment of the trusts and large
corporations, together with a presi
dential election ahead. To any extent
that It has been felt here I believe It
has had a beneficial effect. It has
retarded the taking hold of large
holdings in real estate to get ad
vantage of the advance In price and
will have a tendency to cause the
orchardists to use their orchards for
the production of crops while they
are watting for their orchard to come
into bearing. I consider the future
business prospects very encouraging.
Sam Baker.
First National Bank. You ask me
how I find general business condi
tions In town compared with other
years. Notwithstanding we have a
good deal of talk of dull times we
find the volume of business transact
ed to compare favorably with other
years and some merchants show a
decided advance. Bank balances are
not as large as last year and money
Is In greater demand, but we believe
most business men are working on
safer basis and have their affairs In
better shape. There Is less speculat
ing being done, which Is certainly a
healthy sign. H. L. Gllkey.
COI VCIL TO HAVE
CI TV'S ROOKS AUDITED.
At request of Judge M L. Op
dycke, a request made several weeks
ago, the city council has arranged
for an auditing of the city's books.
At the meeting of the council Thurs
day evening this was provided for.
The man who tackles the job will
have no light task, as a vast amount
of clerical work falls to the lot of
the city auditor of this city, and the
mass of documents is voluminous.
The office Is no easy one for any
body. KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OFFICERS.
Mellta Commandery No. 8, Knights
Templar, of this city held their an
nual election Friday evening and se
lected the following officers for the
ensuing year:
Eminent Commander Geo. R.
Riddle.
GeneraliHino H. C. Fobzlen.
Captain General J. X. Nelson.
Senior Warden A. H. Gunnell.
Junior Warden R. L. Bartlett.
Prelate A. E. Voorhles.
Recorder G. W. Ltonnell.
Treasurer Frank MaHhburn.
Ever buy cold dollars for .'Or?
Von i an do even Letter at tin Oi iinU
Push Hardware 12-1 '.-It
1811.
li. II, MOSES SELLS
II4-ACRE3 RANCH
MlTl'll I'l'HI'L'IfTl- I'iviv
PRALL OF PORTLAND.
PRICE PAID, $17,500 CASH
Hops From This lbtm-li Rrlng Rec
ord Price In th IJverpool
Market.
Horace R. Moses has sold hit hop
ranch of 114 acres, located five
miles west of Grants Pass, to C. T.
Prall of Portland. Mr. Prall paid
$17,500 cash for the property.
Mr. Moses In turn has closed a
deal whereby he purchases the ad
Joining property of 24 acres from
Eclus Pollock.
Mr. Prall, In taking over the
Moses ranch, secures one of the most
valuable properties In the county.
Mr. Moses had made many valuable
Improvements, among thera being
the Installation of concrete fence
posts, the first of the kind In Jose
phine county. The ranch contains
40 acres in hops and has the record
of furnishing hops which sold on the
Liverpool market at a world record
price. Two residences are a part of
the Improvements on the property.
The tract faces one of the best high
ways In the county, with the rear on
Rogue river.
Mr. Trail, the new purchaser Is
president of the Oregon Good Roads
aaanpfatlAn an4 la m.mliA. J V .
! commission named by Governor Os
wald West to draft the eight Initia
tive good roads bills which will be
submitted to the people at the next
general election. He Is one of the
foremost citizens of the state and
his entry Into the life of Josephine
county means the addition of a live
ly man and cultured gentleman.
Mr. Moses, In purchasing the Pol
lock ranch, has proven that Grants
Pass and the county will not lose
him. He stated to The Courier that
he Intends to Improve the Pollock
ranrh t n fha nnlnt uhnrA If will ha.
come one of the show places of the
county. He will construct concrete
posts on fencing lines, as he did on
the property he sold to Mr. Prall. and
will Inclose It with Page fencing. He
will construct a modern bungalow,
clear up the remainder of the land
and In other ways create nn Ideal
country seat.
ROGUE RIVER ELECTRIC
GIVES UP 50-YEAR TALK
(From Wednesday's Dally.)
At eleven minutes to 11 o'clock
this good day, December 13, 1911,
that document demanding that
Grauts Pass give to the Rogue River
Electric company a franchise for a
half a hundred yeras and at the same
old eut-'em-a!lve rates was yanked
out of the city auditor's office on or
der of the corporation powers that
bo. Where It Is now Is not known, but
it Is dead suro to never again be
flaunted in the face of the people of
(J runt s Pasa. Microbes can't stand
sunlight, say the wise men; clnchern
corporation schemes can't staud the
spotlight, say the political econom
ists; light and lust are deadly enem
ies said the bard of Avon; GO-yetr
electric f ram lilacs can't staud the
wrath of the people of Grants Pass,
said a city councilman today, and
that city councilman knows, because
he has had the hornets of public
querrlcs swarming about his head
ever since The Courier gavo public
ity to the whole stinking business.
Grants Pass welcomes capital and
capitalist In ber midst. Capital and
capltali.sts'are needed to develop the
great latent resources of Josephine
county and aid In setting tho city
forward en tho road to wealth and
prosperity, but Grants Pans will not
longer tolerate tho giving away of
the heritage of herself, of her chil
dren and "f her children's children, j
Hence the angr at the insolent de-(
NO. 36
maud of the Rogue River Klectrlo
company, which carries away thous
ands annually, but which leaves not
even any crumbs behind.
That would-be franchise has been
withdrawn in good time to save the
nerves of the city council and that
judiciary committee la particular,
which had the "painful" duty of re
porting on It at the next meeting;
and that judiciary committee la com
posed of Strtckor, Wolfserherger and
Daniels.
"Now let the Rogue River Elec
tric company come back with a de
cent proposal, a abort term franchise
and a wad of money to pay for It
and it will no doubt be granted,"
thus said a resident thla morning
when informed that the corporation
had gotten flabbergasted and was on
the run,
Just whon the scarod word got
here from the corporation bosses to
hush up the talk by pulling down the
demand Is not known,
And in the meantime If there are
any more corporation harpies that
would like to sink their talons In the
throat of Grants Pau Just trot them
out, and they, too, will get a punch
In the paunch.
lUlllKiE COMPLETE DEC. 18.
The Courier's correspondent at
Williams, In news from that place
last week, criticised delay of work
on the new bridge being constructed
there. J. E. Klnsie, of the Colum
bia Bridge company, and who Is ta
charge of the work, states to the
Courier that the delay has been
caused by trouble with water, but
that the bridge will be finished by
December 18.
All structures put In by the Co
lumbia company are of the highest
standard of material and workman
ship, and when the Williams creek
brtdge Is finished another first class
courseway will have been addod to
the already long list In the county.
Mritpiiv.
Adolph Maler returned to the mine
Monday, after a ten days' absence In
California.
Mrs. Matilda Cook, who recently
sold her farm on Applegate, Is visit
ing her brother, J. W. Gllmoro and
family.
Quite a number of young people
attended the party at the home of
Fred Knox Saturday evening and re
port having an enjoyable time.
George Swlnney was here last
week repairing telephones and put
ting on new receivers and transmit
ters. Now sonio of the phones "talk
worser" than they did before they
were fixed,
Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Carson attend
ed the theater at Grants Pass Thurs
day night, December 7. returning
home the following day.
Itoiid Supervisor Gllmoro has sev
eral teams and men hauling gravel
on the roads near Murphy. They
hnvo been working for. two weeks
nnd hnvo several days more to put In
before they finish graveling.
"Grandma" Williams of Murphy,
aged grandmother of Al Mathews,
met with a serious and painful ac
cident last Friday morning. She w-u
standing In front of tho fireplace
with her bock to the flro when her
clothing became Ignited, presumably
by a spark, and was quickly In
Humes. f
81io cried out and Mr. Johnson,
who was n the kitchen, seized a pall
of water and ran to her asalHtance,
dashing tho water over ber and ex
tinguishing the fire.
.Mrs. Williams' body was painfully
burned from her walnt to her knee.
Dr. Sweeney dressed the burns
and the uned lady Is Improving
rapidly as could bo expected for one
of her age, she being nearly 80 years
old.
(luifice for a Jol
Tho United States Civil Service
commission announces that a local
nfrcnt examination will be held In this
city January 10 to secure ellglbles
from which selection may bo made
to fill a vacancy In the position of
local Aent nt $600 per annum, bu
reau of flKherles, department of com
merce nnd labor, Seattle. Persons
desiring to compete, should apply at
once to the secretary, Eleventh Civil
Service district, Seattle, Wash., for
application blank' and full Information.