Willamette River Improvements. In its issue of December 31st the editor of the Portland Journal makes the following comment on the proposed improvement of the Willamette river between Port land and Eugene : "The long dream of a Willam ette river freed to commerce will soon come true. "The abstract of title has been approved in the office of the Unit ed States district attorney at Portland. It goes direct to the attorney general of the United States at Washington for the for mality of final apprvoal. "In all private deals in realty the approval of the abstract of title by the purchaser'3 attorneys is a final step. It is the signal for payment of the purchase price and delivery of the deed. It is the same in this great public transaction in which the privately-owned Willamette locks will pass into public ownership, to be operated by the federal govern ment, with tolls on commerce forever abolished. "Within a comparatively short time the title will be turned over to the war department and the locks pass under the direction of the United States engineers, who have already prepared the plans for so improving the locks that their efficiency will be largely in creased. There should be an im mediate response in lowered freight rates on account of the SO cents a ton that has been exacted in lockage fees for more than thir ty years. "The next step should be the deepening of the channel from Portland to Eugene. The feasi bility of such project has already been announced by the engineers, with assurance that the river can be prepared for all-year naviga tion. "It is an enterprise that the pop ulation of the region' should never abandon. They have won a free lock and can win a deepened chan nel. "With a deepened channel and free locks the Willamette rvier will be one of the most effective railroad commissions in the world." In Defense of Mr. Teal. Several clays ago the Democrat editorially submitted to' the friends and admirers of J. N. Teal, a list of questions dealing with his corporation affiliations, and inci dentally with his record as a pro gressive democrat. These questions were asked in the best of faith and in the hope that the clouds of uncertainty might be lifted from this distin guished candidate for Secretary of the Interior. We still harbor a faint hope that they will be fully and fairly answered, but after roading an able, but rather evasive editorial, in yesterday's Oregon ia'n, are forced to the conclusion that the questions are unanswer able. The Orcgimian editorial is as follows : "'the Albany Democrat is anxious to Ite 'enliuliU'iii'd as to the claims of Mr. Joseph N. Teal upon the Demo cracy ot the state and Nation (or a place in the Cabinet of a Democratic President," anil it directs a seriei of iliicslious, mainly designed to disclose his unortho'dox political record and antecedents. "Possibly it is not important, though some Oregon Democrats think it is, to trace Mr. Teal's politi eat activities, if there are any Teal political activities; but common ru mor has it that he is a Democrat, and supported Mr. Wilson for president in 11)I2, and various other Democratic candidates prior to that election, though he was diverted to the fusion ticket for governor in the memorable vcar (ISW). when Mr. Kinir, the rival claimant to the Secretaryship, ran for Governor as a Populist and as a Democrat. In the dark days of 18, when Mr. Bryan was calling on every loyal Democrat to stand by his silver mounted nuns, Mr. Teal may or may not have wavered between partisan duty and plain common sense. We do not know. That was the year, wc be lieve, when Mr. King got lst in the Populist forest, and emerged with an election as Mate Senator as a t'opu list. These things are not mention ed in the spirit of reproach or of con troversy; merely to muicaie. ine quai ificatious of your true Democrat. "What is a Democrat? How long must one have been a Democrat to be eligible to a Democratic job? Must he have been faithful to the losing cause during the lean and hungry years when no Democrat could hope for anything, unless he connuhiatcd with the disaffected wing of the Re publicans, at Chamberlain and west, and even Our Harry, the embryonic Senator, did? Or may he profess to be a Democrat and a non-partisan at the same time, for which there is dis tinguished precedent in the cause of Hon. W. K. King in his candidacy for the Supreme Bench in WW? "Apparently the Albany Democrat it under the strange impression that the Democrats alone carried Oregon in 112 for Mr. Wilson. If Mr. Wil ton had received only the votet of the Democrats who' voted for him, he would not have carried Oregon. DUN'S REPORT ON THE BUSINESS CONDITIONS The following report on busi ness conditions during the week is reprinted from Dun's Review: "The notable development at the close of the year is the tre mendous expansion in exports, which arc breaking all previous records, the movement from the port of New York for the latest week amounting to $26,376,000 $4,136,000 larger than in .1911,) $17,175,000 larger than in 1910, and $6,007,000 in excess of im ports. This expansion in exports is due to the mcreased foreign demand for the products of the soil and the mills ; it is not accom panied by a decline in imports, which as a matter of fact are about $4,000,000 greater- than in the two preceding' years. There is some slowing down of domestic operations in the closing weeks of the year, as is usual, due to necessary readjustments and tak ing stock, yet the current statis tics of business continue almost as noteworthy as those of foreign commerce. Bank clearings (about the best measure of activity avail able) increased this week 11.9 per cent as compared with 1911 and 17.8 per cent as compared with 1910, and railroad gross earnings for the first half of December gained 3.8 per cent. The problem of the railroads is not so much how to get new traffic as how to provide means with which to se cure additional terminals and cars to carry the great traffic pressing upon the transportation lines. Retail holiday trade was of impos ing proportions, and this exhibi tion of buying power on the part of the people, as the result of ag ricultural fruitfulncss and of fully employed and highly paid labor, has a favorable effect on whole sale trade and on industrial lines. In the dry goods departments conditions at the close of the year are very satisfactory, both for cottons and woolens. Mills have large orders running months ahead, and jobbers, who have ex perienced the customary slacken ing at this season, are anticipating a large increase' in demand. In the iron and steel trade the chief feature is the continued heavy purchases by the railroads. There ire shorter holiday suspensions of work this year than is usual, ow ing to the insistence of demand. Coke is very firm, due to the in adequacy of supplies to meet the extraordinary movement. New England shoe factories are work ing cm full time with present or- lors, but new business is season ibly dull. The decline in hides is having a veak.,iing effect upon leather. lhe gram and cotton markets show continued large do mestic movement and exports. Interest in the truaucial markets is still keen as to the result of the Halkan peace negotiations in Lon- lon, but a holiday quietness gen erally prevails. Liabilities of commercial fail ures, so far reported for Decem ber, amount to $13,274,569. of which $4,h42,217 are in manufac turing, $7,052,835 in trading and $1,379,517 in other commercial lines. Failures this week num bered 265 in the United States against 281 last year, and 25 in Canada compared with 39 a year STftYTON GIRL DIES FROM ACCIDENTAL DOSE OF ACID A particularly sad death occurred near West Stayton at about 5:45 Mon day afternoon, when Miss l.omae Wil liams died from the accidental swal lowing of carbolic acid, says the Mail. The unfortunate girl was but 17 years of age. It appears that Miss Williams, whose parents reside near Aumsville, was working at the home of C. C. Bruce, who lives on the Henry Von Be hrcn place below West Stayton. Farly Monday morning the girl set out for a day's visit with her folks. While there she had an attack of toothache, and wai given a small vial of carbolic acid, to' apply in case the pain continued. Her mother warned her to dilute the acid before using. A strike is reported to have oc curred on the Ore iron Electric Rail way this afternoon among the labor ers employed by the road on construc tion work and 100 men are said to' have quit work on account of a re duction in wages. CELEBRATED TODAY Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Ross Observe 50th. Anniversary of Their Marriage in Albany. WERE WEDDED AT DOUBLE CEREMONY IN CANADA IN 1862 Aged Couple Guests of Honor at Dinner Tendered By Their Children This Afternoon. Continued from Wednesday, Jan. 1, Fifty years ago today, while the Civil War was in progress in the United States, a double wedding was solemnized in the little village of Farnham, Province of Quebec. Can ada, when the Rev. Mr. Thornton of the Methodist church of that place united in marriage Miss Cynthia E. Truax and S. W. Ross and Miss Anna Harvey to Mortimer W. Ring, a cous in of Miss Truax. - The wedding was a quiet affair and was witnessed by only four other young people besides the contracting parties. Since that happy New Year'i day, half a century has passed, and today, Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Ross of this city arc celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, surrounded by tneir citti drcn and grandchildren. Tha couple are in excellent health and are happy and contented. This afternoon at 3o'clock, Mr. and Mrs. Ross were guests of honor at a dinner tendered to them by their children and served at the Palm Cafe teria which is conducted by their son-in-law, M. J. Monteith. The following were in attendance at the dinner: Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Ross. Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Monteith, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Ross of Moro, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Ross of Albany, h. i L max ot Albany and Mrs. Catherine Allen ofo Quebec, Canada, brother and sister of Mrs. Ross. Mrs. Hattie Bartholomcy, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. b. VV. Ross, ot Rose burg, was unable to be present. Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Ross, who cel ebrated their golden wedding today, came to Albany in May, 1881, from Comnton, P. Q Canada, where they resided for six years prior to coming 10 me racuic cuasi. upun meir ar rival in this city, they bought a piece of property at what is now Fifth and Calapooia streets. Here they erected a, modern and comfortable home where they resid ed continuously until recently when they erected a residence in Central addition at the corner of Elm and Tenth streets where they now reside. Mr. Ross was cneraeed in black smithing for some time after his ar rival in Albany, working for bam Althousc. now deceased. Later he en gaged in teaming and followed that occupation tor tweuty-hvc years, re tiring from active work two years ago, With the exception of one year which they spent tanning near Soda- ville, Mr. and Mrs. Ross have lived at Albany 31 years. Mr. Ross was born in Granby, Province of Quebec, Can., on October U, 1K40, and Mrs. Koss was bom in Farnham, Quebec, on July 2, 1842. The couple have five children, as follows: Mrs. Alice R. Monteith- of Albany; Mrs, Hattie Hartholomay of Koseburg; Jed v.. Koss and rred W. Ross of Albany, and Lorenzo W. Ross of Moro. Mr. and Mrs. Ro'ss also have eleven grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have the best wishes of their many friends in , Albany and Linn county. L. F. Smith, of Tangent was trans acting business in Albany today. Mr, Smith is a rural mail carrier out of langciit. NEW ADDITIONS MADE TO THE DECEMBER POEM Since the publication of a verse sev eral days aKo at the reoucst of a sub scriber, others have added a fcw lines to the first contribution. Here is the po'ein in full. No other contributions will be accepted owing to lack 01 pace. i .... i.i l ....... . i:,,u k.'.i And pinned on Mary's hat; Then I'd be safe from kitty's claws because she wears a rat. I'd go with her to church some day, Ami sit quite near some boys; I'd watch them casting sheepish eyes, And hear them make some noise. Then the sexton 'ml turn them out, And we'd not linger near; At any time of year. What makes the bird stick to Mary so? The sexton used to say; Oh! Mary sticks to the bird you know. She wears it every day. And you each frathered birdie now May wear upon your hats; There they'll he safe from kitty's claws. If only you wear rats. I would I were a doctor man, All buttoned up in a Ford; I would not care how bad the roads, Nor how tie weather roared last Sunday. A WEALTHY NEW YORK WOMAN WILL STUDY LAW Will Acquire Legal Knowledge to Protect Estate of 12 Year Old Daughter. NE WYQRK, Dec. 30. In the hope of safe-guarding the rights of her 12-year-old daughter to a share in the estate of her husband, Mrs. Lucius Hopkins Smith, widow of a wealthy cotton man of New York and Pasa dena, who, while in Los Angeles last slimmer reported to the police that an attempt had been made here to kidnap the little girl, has taken up the study of law at Columbia University. Mrs. Smith complained at that time that her rooms at the Smith apart ments, near Weslake Park, were brok en into and valuable papers taken and later an attempt was made to kidnap the little girl, Ruth. Believing that she was being follow ed by some agent of her late husband's family, she went to San Diego, and, when an attempt was made there to sieze the little girl, returned to Los Angeles and took rooms in a down town hotel. Early in July she came to New York and told officials that a mysterious man had followed her across the con tinent. From here she went to Eu rope, determined to place her daugh ter in a closely-guarded French board ing school. Since her return she has mapped out a complete law course at Colum bia University, and intends to carry her studies out in order that she may protect the claim of her daughter to the father's large estate, amounting to several hundred thousand dol lars. "I was never aroused to a woman's need for such training until I became a widow," said Mrs. Smith. 'Immedi ately I found myself in the vortex of the courts. My ignorance of the courts made me helpless. True, a wo man may employ lawyers to protect her interests, but after all there is nothing like understanding the thing yourself." The legal contest over the Smith estate involves the legality of the adoption in Germany, of the little girl, Ruth, who is Mrs. Smith's daugh ter by a former marriage. Sidney A. Smith, brother of the late cotton broker, contends the child was not legally adopted ana accoraingiy ne claims $100,000 of the estate of his deceased brother. TANGENT GRANGE HELD AN INTERESTING MEETING D. M. McGregor Elected Master: Other Officers Elected for Ensuing Year. The regular meeting of Tangent Orange was neia iasc oaturuay wun good attendance. Visitors from Sand Ridge and Western Star granges were present. The third and fourth degrees were conferred upon a class of two, who will make a valuable addition to our membership. A fine lunch was heartily partaken of by all present, and the remainder ot tne noon nour was spent in visiting- The election of officers for the en suing year resulted as follows: M. D. Mcuregor, U.; w. o. smitn, J-.; m F. Wood. A. S.: E. R. Allen. C: Lus- ane Blevins, T.; Brown, Sec; Marie G. Allen, G. K.; A. Blevins, C; Hattie Blevins. P.: Lmma H. bmith K; Midlred Allen, L. A. S.; Frances Driver, organist; Mrs. M. f. Wood. The question of the state appropri ation money for the Panama Exposi tion was discussed at length. Also the appropriation for the bridge across the Columbia river at Vancouver. The questions were referred to a spe cial committee and will be taken up at the next meeting. We missed the pleasant smile and familiar voice of our riverside friend, and he missed a good dinner. Installation will be held the fourth Saturday in January, when we hope to meet many visitors and spend a pleasant day. The installation will be held in the afternoon, which will be open to the public. J. H. SCOTT. Mrs. M. C. Morgan visited her daughter, Mrs. Mary Jcnks near Tan gent this week. Miss Georgia Blevins of Corvallis visited with her parents near here on Christmas. J. E. Ownbey and wife to Albany spent last week in Tangent. John Powell of the county bridge gang, visited his father and mother here lastweek. Miss Frances Driver of the O. A. C. spent the holidays at her home near here. B. F. Scott of Aberdeen, Wash., and his daughter. Miss Mabel, visited with his brother near Tangent last week. Win. Ellingsworth and family of Shedd visited with the family of G. C. Stellmacher a few days, last week. Fred Filkins has moved with his family from his father's farm to Al bany to reside. Elias Berwick has moved to the farm o'f W. E. Parker where he ex pects to spend the next year. REPORTER. 999 9999999 3 99999 Sews Bepnniu Witk Tfeta Head If 3 From Daily Issue of THURSDAY. JANUARY 1 9 TANGENT NEWS ALBANY FIREMEN ATTEND TOORHEY The Corvallis Fire Department Treats Visiting Delegates Royally Yesterday. LOCAL TEAM LOSES HOSE RACE BY NARROW MARGIN Memorial Monument to Dead Fire Chief Is Dedicated By College City Folks. Assistant Fire Chief Horsky and a number of the members of the Albany fire department returned home from Corvallis last night where they were the guests yesterday of the Corvallis fire laddies at the big fire fighters tournament which was held in that city. A parade was held at 10:30 o'clock yesterday morning which was compos ed ot corvallis lire Doys ana mcir new apparatus, and the visiting delegation from various cities of the Willamette Valley. Following the parade, the firemen attended the dedication of the me morial monument recently erected at Corvallis in honor of George P. Wren, ex-fire chief of Corvallis who gave his life in- the performance of his duty. The monument was erected by the members o'f the fire department as a tribute to their former chief, i The dedicatory exercises lasted over an hour and were very impressive. Music for the occasion was furnished by the O. A. C. military band and prayer was offered by Rev. Sherman. Walter H. Kline, one of the leading merchants of Corvallis, officiated as "master of ceremonies and in an im pressive speech, presented the monu ment to the city. Mayor J. Fred Yates accepted the gift on behalf of the city and paid a fine tribute to the dead fire chief, George P. Wren. A fine dinner was served to the members of the Albany and other vis iting departments at noon at the Ho tel Julian. At 1:30 o'clock the pro gram of events scheduled for the af ternoon was begun. The program in cluded hose races, ladder climbing, coupling contests, water fights, rescue work, etc. The hose race between the fire de partments of Albany and Corvallis was the most exciting event on the program and was witnessed by a large crowd of people. The race was won by the Corvallis boys in 22 seconds, Albany finish ing second in 30 seconds. Chief En gineer Warner of the Albany depart ment won two prizes in the hose coup ling contest. The program was completed at 5:30 o'clock in the afternoon and was fol lowed by a banquet and dance at the city hall. The Albany boys are loud in their praise o'f the courtesies ex tended them yesterday and of the splendid hospitality of the "Corvallis firemen. The following members of the Al bany department were in attendance at the Corvallis tournament: Assist ant Chief Ed. Horsky, Chief Engi neer John Warner, John Spooner, Earl McTimmonds, Fred Woods, Herman Stoks, Clarence Reed, C. N. McKec and Adrian Moo're. $43 ENOUGH FOR LADIES SUIT SAYS THE JUDGE New Jersey Court Has Decided Ideas As to the Cost of Womens Apparel. New York, Jan. 1. Forty-three dol lars is enough fo'r nay woman to spend for a suit of outer clothing; or, possibly, $44, if $2 is to be spent for a "really magnifcient pair of corsets." This is the .private and judicial opinion of Vice-Chancellor Lindley A. Garrison of the Court of Chancery of Jersey City, whose wife is o'qe of the handsomest and best-dressed women in Hudson county. Mrs. George G. Holton, seeking ali mony from her husband, who is seek ing separation, exhibited a letter of credit from her husband in court to day, in which he specified that site should not buy a suit to cost more than $20, a coat for more than $18, no more costly shoes than $4 nor corsets for more than $2. These prices were absurdly low, Mrs. Holton contended, but Judge Garrison agreed with her husband. "I have seen plenty of suits adver tised for $20. and they looked good and amply becoming when worn," he said. "Eighteen-dollar coats look fine, tour dollars will buy a pair of shoes good enough for any woman. For $1 corsets can be bought that will set otf a woman's figure most engagingly. For $2 a really magnificent set of cor sets can be purchased." Mrs. F. P. Nutting has been con fined to her bed for several days with a slight attack of neuralgia. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wright of Moscow. Idaho, who have been spend ing their honeymoon in this city at the home of Mrs. Wright's parents. Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Craft, left for home yesterday. AGED JUDGE WINS A FBBTIE OF $100,000 Twenty Years of Litigation Settles an Estate in Favor of - Man Now 79 Year Old. - New York, Jan. 1. After a fight in the courts extending over more than 20 years, Probate Judge John Kenne ally, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, is recog nized today as the heir to the $100,000 estate left by William A. Kenneally, who died in Brooklyn fifty years ago. Judge Kenneally is now 79 years old. An order awarding him the es tate was signed by Supreme.-Court Justice Page. More than 100 claim ants have tried during the last half century to prove their relationship and get the fortune,- but all failed except John Kenneally.. William E. Kfnneally's name differs slightly from that that of the success ful claimant. The testimony shows that Judge Kenneally based his claim upon the information his mother had given him. He said that many of the relics, pa pers and other things that would have shown his father's identity were burn ed in a fire that swept Cleveland in 1840. STOCK COMPANY RETURNS TO ALBANY FROM CORVALLIS To Present Ethel Barrymore's Play "Sunday" Here During Remainder ef Week. t Ethel Barrymore's comedy-drama success, bunday, will be presented by the Seibert & Lindley players at the opera house Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. The company is playing a stock en gagement here and at Corvallis divid ing the week between the two cities, playing Corvallis the first three days of the week and Albany the last three. The plays they are to produce are all goodt ones and they more than made go'od when here before. The plav "Sunday" is forst class in every way and one that Miss Barrmore made her first N. Y. hit in. It is one of heart interest and yet has lots of comedy running through it. The company was well received in Corvallis and their stay here will be a treat to all those who like good clean plays. The prices are within the reach of all and the shows compare favorably with any of the ro'ad shows now on the coast. Prices, reserved seats 35c, gallery 25c. A LITTLE BOY LEAPS OVER A MAD BULL Jumped Over His Head, Slid Along His Back and Escaped All Harm. Cincinnati, Jan. 1. Gerald Hopkins, nine, this afternoon performed a feat that would make the toreadors of old Spain and Mexico jealous. A wild bull which had broken loose from its stall in a stable in the neigh borhood caused a reign of terror in Mount Auburn, Avond.le and Walnut Hills, the fashionable suburbs of Cin cinnati. t The Hopkins boy got directly in the path of the maddened animal. People held their breath and watched the frightened youth. Taking a quick step the lad jumped clear over the head of the bull and played "leap frog," supping over tne animal s- back and running into a house before the bull could turn around. Miss Bermce Hall returned from Brownsville this morning where she has been visiting with friends and rel atives. ADMINISTRATRIX NOTICE. Notice is hereby given that the un- ; r v """""oil .urix oi me estate of Charles Kiefcr, deceased, has filed "in iuic county iierK ot Linn Coun- tv flrannn U XI I .. V.vs, ci nnai account in tne matter of said estat.e and the County li e j " , appointed Monday, the 13th day of January, 1913, at the hour of one o'clock in the afternoon of said day, at the County Court room, in the Court House in the City of Al bany, Oregon, as the time and place tor hearing objections to said final ac count, if any there be, and for the tinal settlement of said estate. Dated this 10th day of December, 1912 MARGARET KIEFR, L. M CURL, Administratrix. Atty for Admrx. D13-J10 ADMIMISTRATOR-g NOTICE. NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned administratrix of the es tate of I. F. Conn, deceased, has filed with the County Clerk of Linn Coun ty. Oregon, her final account in the matter of said estate, and the County Court has appointed, Monday, the iMth day of January, 1913, at the hour of one o'colck in the afternoon of said day at the county court room in the court house in the City of Albany, Oregon, as the time and place for hearing objections to said final ac count, if any there be and for the final settlement of said estate. !912ted th' 13'h dy f December' ELVIRA CONN. . . Administratrix. L. M. Curl, Atty. for Admrx. , Dec. 20 Jan. 17.