E
OF CURRENT WEEK
Brief Resume Most important
Daily News Items.
COMPILED FOR YOU
Events of Noted People, Governments
and Pacific Northwest and Other
Things Worth Knowing.
New Zealand's casualties in tho war
totaled 57,932, of whom only 45 were
taken prisoner by tho enemy. The
number killed was 16,500.
Taxes on amusement admissions will
not be increased by tho war revenue
bill. The conferees have agreed to
rescind their rate from 10 to 20 per
cent.
Thefts and acts of violence aro In
creasing dally in Paris, according to
the Matin, which declares that the
demobilization of allied troops Is bound
to Increase acts of lawlessness.
Perhaps tho youngest husband In
the United States, at least, is Llsteon
S. Barber, 16 years old, who was mar
ried in Vancouver last Thursday to
Mrs. Blanche M. Schnerlnger, 25 years
of age. The youth had the consent
of his parents.
Sixty cents a pouud was paid last
week by a buyer of Denver for the
grand champion Individual fat steer at
the Denver Stock show. The steer.
which weighed 1S00 pounds, was sold
bv the Western Meat company, of
San Francisco.
Secretary Baker has ordered the re
lease of 113 conscientious objectors
held at Fort Leavenworth, the remts
sion of the unexecuted portions of their
sentences, their "honorable restora
tion to duty" and immediate discharge
from the army.
Governer James P. Goodrich, of
Indiana, has placed the resources of
his office back of the fight of the
Indiana Public Servlco commission
against the new longdistance tele
phone rates ordered by Postmaster
General Burleson.
The Krupp plant at Essen began
working for the United States govern
ment this week. The task undertaken
by the Krupps consist of making parts
of 72 incomplete cannon, rejected by
the American authorities as part of
the war material offered by the Ger
mans under the terms of the armistice.
Under the farm loan system $157,-
020,000 has been lent to 67,888 farmers
up to January 1, the Federal Farm
Loan board reported Friday. This
Included $9,567,000 loans to 3525 farm
ers In December. Loan3 closed last
month by the federal banks Include
Houston, $1,634,000; Spokane, $1,627,-
000.
Calmly referring to "the next war,"
Major-General Leonard Wood made a
strong appeal before a Joint session
of the Kansas legislature Thursday for
a system of universal training for na
tional defense. He outlined what he
termed "tho idea of the great leader
who has gone and of others" and
frequently quoted terse saylng3 of his
friend, the late Theodore Roosevelt.
Creation of a separate air depart
ment, with its head a member of the
cabinet, is advocated by Senator
Chamberlain, of Oregon, chairman of
the senate military affairs committee,
in a statement in which he expressed
belief the control of tho air would
unquestionably bo the decisive factor
in tho next war, overshadowing In
importance the forces on cither land
or sea.
Congress will be asked by Secretary
Glass to Increase tho authorization for
'liberty bonds to permit a larger Issue
than $5,000,000,000 now authorized, or
the acceptance of oversubscriptions,
Arrangements for tho next Issue, prob
ubly in April, aro being completed,
With amendments authorizing the
payment of 30 days' pay and C coots a
mlla traveling expenses homo to din
charged officer and enlisted man, the
senate lias imsuod and wont to con
oretico tho Iiouko hill to ponnlt
noldlor lo retain tucir uniform.
WORLD
IS
RAILROADS SHOW BIG LOSS
Figures Indicate the.Rcsult of Govern
ment Operation.
Washington, D. C Hnllronds In
1918 under government control nnd un
usual war conditions earned about
$71S,000,000, or $250,000,000 less thnn
In 1917, $370,000,000 less than in tho
record year of 1916, nnd about tho
same ns in 1915.
This becamo apparent Saturday on
the basis of deflnlto- reports to tho
Interstate Commerco commission of
earnings of 195 principal railroads
those having annual operating rev
enues of moro than $1,000,000 for 11
months and unofficial calculation of
December earnings, which Railroad ad
ministration reports Indicate will bo
considerably smaller than those of pre
ceding months. Although subject to
slight revision, tho figures afforded
the first public view of the results of
railway operations last year so far ns
earnings nro concerned.
Returns from freight, passenger, ox-
press and other transportation during
the year amounted to approximately
$4,S73,000,000, or $832,000,000, moro
than in tho previous year. Operating
expenses Jumped to about $3,971,000,
000, or about $1,119,000,000 more than
In the preceding year.
Preliminary reports to tho Railroad
administration indicate that freight
traffic fell off in December, with tho
virtual stopping of war traffic, whllo
expenses cduld not bo reduced ma
terially. This condition sent tho not
earnings, or railway operating lncomo,
which had been declining steadily
since the record month of July, to
probably $25,204,000 in December of
1917, when the blizzards and curtail
ment of traffic sent earnings to what
was then considered a very low record.
NEW GOVERNMENT
IS ASSEMBLY AIM
Berlin. Tho Germnn national as
sembly, which will convene at Weimar
February 6, is expected to bo In ses
sion about two months. Its first busi
ness will be the selection of a provi
sional government because tho present
government considers its existenco at
an end with the convening of n con
stituent assembly.
The assembly then will take up tho
adoption of a constitution. The pres
ent government as such will not pro
sent any proposal and the draft drawn
lip by tho ministry of the Interior will
be submitted merely as a basis for dis
cussion. The obligatory task of the constitu
ent assembly will be finished with the
adoption of a constitution, but it has
the right to make of itself a consti
tuted instead of a constituting body,
and this probably will bo done. In that
case the assembly will be obliged to
regulate tax and financial questions.
The peace question probably will not
be considered, as it Is not expected
the Germans will be admitted to the
peace conference before tho adjourn
ment of the assembly.
The matter of lodging tho 3000 per
sons who are expected to attend the
convention is a serious one, because
Weimar is a small city. The municipal
authorities there are considering the
question of billeting the delegates and
Journalists with private families, if
necessary, and in adjacent cities.
2 New Cables to be Laid. '
San Francisco. Two new cables aro
to bo laid between this city and two
cities in Japan within the next two
years, according to K. Uchlda, for
mer vice-minister of communication of
Japan. Ho has been in this country
four weeks in connection with tho
laying of tho cables. Tho U. S. and
Japan, Mr. Uchlda said, Jointly will
operate and control the cables, He
bellves Yokohama will bo the Oriental
terminal of ono of tho cables.
Blockade Kills 500,000
Berlin. It is announced officially
by tho German government that statis
tics of mortality "duo to tho blockade"
from tho autumn of 1916 until tho ond
of 1918 shows moro thnn 500,000
deaths wero caused by malnutrition
or undernutrition.
Lone Yankee In Germany.
Berlin, Of tho Atnorlcan soldlors
tulton prisoner by tho (lonnuiiH on tho
western front only ft single ono now
romulns in (Jonnany, I he Associated
Cross correspondent has learned, Ho
In at HlullKurt, too III, lo bo removed
at proa'iiit.
EXTRA SESSION OF
L
Ten Big Appropriation Bills Still
to Be Considered.
CALENDAR CROWDED
War Tasks Take Time of Conjjrcss nnd
Regular Legislation Lags Far
Dchlnd Schedule.
Washington, D. C An extra session
of congress next spring now seems
certain, In tho opinion of democratic
and republican loaders.
With but 31 working days of tho
present Bcsslon remaining, appropria
tion bills nro to be rushed this week.
Only six or tho 16 regular supply bills
havo been passed by tho house, and
none by tho senate.
Besides tho regular appropriation
measures, several special money bills,
including tho new deficiency mensuro
nnd tho $750,000,000 request of tho
railroad administration, await action.
Much general legislation is also on
tho calendar with only tho railroad,
unemployment, naval programme nnd
other questions being pressed for solu
Hon. International affnlrs also are re
ceiving much attention In the Bennte,
and additional addresses on mattcro
connected with the peace conference
nro planned this week.
Legislation to validate war contracts
aggregating about $2,750,000,000 will
bo taken un by the Bennte with n lively
dispute In prospect over tho house bill
nnd the substitute framed by the mill
tary committee.
The annual poslofflce and rivers nnd
harbors bills were reported Monday
nnd their consideration Is expected to
follow passage of tho war contract
legislation.
In tho house tho agricultural appro
nrlatlon bill was tnken up Monday, to
bo followed by tho deficiency measure
appropriating $285,000,000 and provid
ing for reductions of nbout $15,000,000.
000 In war authorizations.
Final legislative action Is expected
early In tho week on the administra
tion bill appropriating $100,000,000 for
food relief In Europo nnd the near
East, which Is now In conference.
UNEMPLOYMENT IS
DEVELOPING FAST
Philadelphia. Unemployment Is de
veloping throughout tho country with
such rapidity as to warrant serious
concern, according to Nathan A.
Smyth, assistant director-general of
the United States employment service,
nt a meeting of the American Academy
of Political and Social Science here
Sunday night.
"There uro unmistakable Indications
of an Impending storm of extreme sev
erity," said Mr. Smyth. "On January
21 55 cities reported a total unemploy
ment of 211,000.
"Reports from tho 760 United States
employment service offices throughout
tho country, which, for tho week end
ing November 9, showed about 380,000
positions open and 150,000 applicants
for Jobs, now show that tho margin
has almost entirely disappeared. Gen
erally speaking, the southeastern states
still can absorb labor; tho Pacific,
northern, mlddlo nnd eastern states
show unemployment. In a few places
such unemployment hns reached un
precedented proportions."
260 Miles an Hour Made,
Oklahoma City. Flying at tho rate
of 90 miles In 22 minutes, an average
speed of approximately 260 miles an
hour, was tho feat accomplished Sun
day by Lieutenant Robert B, Baker,
stationed at Post Field, Fort Sill,
Oklu. Lieutenant nukcr attained tho
speed in a flight from Fort Sill to
Okluhomu City.
Aliens to Be Made Yanks.
Butte, Mont, W. M. Mnddock, su
perintendent of Uutto public schoolH,
announces the names of 10 teachers
who will compoHQ tho faculty of tho
Americanization school which will op
en hero. Tho pupllH, aliens of a dozen
nationalities, will rvuUUr lor tours'
In English olvlus und American his-lory.
CONGRESS
IS
LE
Statu Capitol. -Tho Oregon legisla
ture passed Its first hill hut week In
doublo tlmo, creating a Soldiers' nnd
Sailors' commission for tho relief of
returning soldiers, appropriating $100,
000 for that purpose, nnd doing it nil
between convening in tho morning and
adjourning in tho afternoon.
Tho commission created under tho
bill is given power to give such relief
to roturnlug soldiers and sailors Who
nro out of employment as In doomed
ndvlsablo under tho circumstances of
each case.
Tho first bill to ho passed by tho
Oregon legislature, which provides for
Immediate relief of soldiers nnd sail
ors by tho appropriation at $100,000
and tho creation of n soldlors' and
sailors' commission for tho disbursing
of tho funds, apparently Is unconstl
tutlonal and invalid, and either an
amendment of one of tho sections of
tho mcasuro, or Its ro-onactmont with
amendment by the legislature, will bo
ueccsBnry beforo tho funds will bo
mado nvallablo for tho uses intended.
Tho discovery of tho weak section
of tho bill was mado in tho auditing
department of Secretary of Stato Ol
cott's office when tho bill was filed
In that offlco as required by law.
Having procured Oregon's ratlflcu
tlon of tho national prohibition amend'
ment by n total vote of 87 to 3 in tho
combined branches of tho legislature,
tho prohibition forces of tho stato now
aro to train their "dry" guns on tho
patent medicines nnd so-called tonics
containing a generous portion of at
cohol.
The minimum wngo fur school
tenchors throughout Oregon will bo
$75 a month, It Mrs. Alexander
Thompson, representative from Hood
River and Wasco counties, has her
way.
Mrs. Thompson Is considering tho
Introduction of u bill which will cs
tnbllsh this minimum wngo for all
teachers of tho state.
Self-aggrandizement Is responsible
for the discord which Is beginning to
throw Its shadow over tho legislature,
Elcmonts contributing to a lack of
harmony havo been developing rapidly
and nt tho present rate, beforo tho
legislature Is well Into its third week
thero will bo open rupture. Thus far
the peacemakers havo been consplcu
ous by their absence so that tho
flames of discontent aro being fed by
clashing personal ambitions.
From starting last week with a
smoothly running organization in sen
ato and house tho machinery Is begin
nlng to Jar. Monkoy-wrenchos aro bo
lng thrown Into tho cogs and members
aro reforrlng to other mombcrs In
Innguago which means flghL It Is not
rivalry botween houso nnd sounto, but
between senators and between rcpro
scntatlvos. Matters which should havo
caused no trouble have aroused frlc
tlon and this is only tho beginning.
Reprisals In tho way of slaughtering
pet measures can bo predicted with
sufcty in tho coming weeks.
Primarily, tho two contributing dls
cordant factors aro tho consolidation
affair and tho rond matter. Personal
fouds uro bolng waged which do not
augur well for a calm and disinterest
cd consideration of legislative mutters
presented.
In a bill Introduced Monday by Rop
rcsontatlvo Smith, of Baker, stato aid
to tho accident commission would bo
cut down to an appropriation of $50,
000 a year for baro administration ox
ponses. Tho bill contains also a nuin
her of othor provisions .for amending
tho workmen's compensation act. This
Is tho third hill directed against stato
aid for tho commission.
Giving of tips is hit by a bill from
Representative Roman in tho houso
Ho would prohibit tho practlco by
common carriers, hotels, restaurants,
clubs or any othor place whoro tho
public Is glvon servlco, nnd proposes
n flno of from $5 to $50 for violation
of tho act.
A Joint iiiemorlul by Representative
liurdlck, Introduced In and passed by
tho house, urges moinbora of Oregon's
delegation III congress to support tho
hill of Representative Hlniiolt provid
ing an appropriation of $1,000,000,000
for Irrluutlon,
OREGON
CISLATORE SINN
El
British Evacuation of Ireland
Is Demanded.
LEADER MERE YOUTH
Many Women and Children, Wearing
Gay Ribbons, In Audience When
Declaration Is Read.
Dublin. Tho Sinn Fein assembly
mot nt tho Mansion houso Wcdnosday
afternoon. Tho assembly stood whllo
n declaration of Independence was
road announcing tho establishment of
an Irish republic and demanding thu
evacuation of Ireland by tho British
garrisons.
A crowd of perhaps 1000, Including
many women and children, wearing
green, whlto and yellow ribbons,
pressed around the door of the Man-
Ion houso, watching tho delegates en
ter. Only two policemen wero visible,
hut tho Sinn Fein had Its own police
youths wearing whlto armbands
to keep order.
Another crowd of different typo was
on hand repatriated war prisoners of
tho Dublin Fusllcers. Thoy had been
entertained nt lunch In thu Mansion
house, and their friends nnd thu public
generally wore waiting outside to
cheer them.
This combination furnished the pos
sibilities of a clash, but none occurred.
Tho rotunda of tho Mnnslou house,
where tho congress met, Is a dingy old
place, lighted by stained glnss win
dows overhead. Tho platform and
hnlf tho floor wore fitted with tables
for officers and dologntes. Tho re
mainder of tho floor nnd tho circular
gallery wero reserved for tho public,
admission being by ticket.
A largo proportion of tho audience
consisted of women. Tho number of
young priests wns conspicuous. One
of tho popular figures arriving first
was Father O'Flanngan, who recently
was dismissed from his pnrish by tho
bishop on account of Ills political ac
tivity. There was brief demonstration when
tho delegates enmo down tho center
aisle, thu peoplo standing on their
sents and applauding them nnd waving
lints and handkerchiefs.
Thu youthfulncss of tho Sinn Fein
leaders was tholr most noticeable
characteristic. Thero wero hardly n
half dozen gray hoada in tho group.
Count Plunkett, a mombor of Parlia
ment nnd ono of tho lenders of tho
party, Introduced in n few torse sent
ences Charles Burgess, n young man
who acted as chairman and who mado
a short speech which was much ap
plauded. Most of tho members of tho party
crossed themselves frequently during
the pruycr of tho Rov. Fnthor O'Flan
ngnn, Tho rollcnll was mado In English.
It Included all tho members of Par
liament elected from Ireland to tho
British Purllamont. Naturally n ma
jority of theso men failed to respond,
as they uro In prison.
SOUND SHIPYARD
MEN ON STRIKE
Scattlo, Wush, Botweon 35,000 nnd
37,000 members of tho metal tradca
unions in Scattlo, Tucoma nnd Ann
cortos went on Btrlko Wednesday
morning, puralyzlng tho major portion
of Washington's shipbuilding industry,
According to a statement glvon out
by tho ship enrpontcra' controlling
council, another 8000 mon belonging
to tho various woodworking trndcH
employed In shipbuilding havo tholr
Jobs imporllod by tho strike and may
all bo forced out through inability or
tho yards to oporato without tho metal
trades workors,
Thu tnotal trades strllto Is for u
basic wage of $1 uu hour for mechan
ics and $7 and $0 a day for lielpeni
ami laborers, Through a federal wage
uilJiiHlinont board (mown us (ho Many
hoard, thu niooliunlos worn recently
granted Wt cents per hour.
El
EMENT
DECLARE
REPUBLIC