University f Oregon
Lllirary
WEATHER Maximum Yesterday 75; Minimum Today 41. FORECAST Tonight, and Tomorrow Partly Cloudy.
edford Mail Tribune
rty-BPVenth Year.
,ly Twelfth Yonr.
MEDFORD OREGON, THURSDAY. MAY 31. 1917
N. 60
I BY RATE CASE
dford Complaint of Discrimination
In Rates to Northern California
Points to be Heard by Interstate
Commerce Commission Tomorrow
Adverse Decision Kills Shinning.
h
i railroad rate case involving Med
rd's future us a city will lie lieiml
Pore the Interstate Commerce com
ssion at Medford Friday at the
leral building. The ease is that
the Medford Commercial club vs.
y Southern Pacific railroad com
ny, nnd n decision adverse to Med
rd will destroy the city as a joh
ip and shipping center.
Die Med lord complaint charges 1111-
e discrimination in rates against
sdforu in favor of Sacramento nnd
n Francisco nnd Portland on ship
ints to northern California points.
. rates complained of have been
spended pending a hearing of the
dford complaint, hut if sustained,
iuld make it impossible to ship from
re to northern California or Klam
li county points in competition Avith
n Francisco or Portland.
The rates complained of were or.
red established ns a result of de
iion in November last of the Cali
rniastate railroad commission in
lich reduction of class rates from
in Francisco and Sacramento north
the state line of from 10 to 25 per
nt were ordered.
Following the decision Portland
ed a complaint demanding a redue
in in rates from Portland to the
ilifornia points to equalize the re
ction from San Francisco.
Medford shippers caught between
e two reductions filed complaint
at will he heard Friday bv Attorney
caminer J. T. Hell of Washington,
"C., representing the Interstate
immerce commission. Attorney
m C. Pay of Portland will rrpre
nt the legal department of the
mthern Pacific, and Freight Agent
. A. llinshaw and J. II. Mulchay, as
lant general freight ngent, the trnf
3 department, H. A. Adams nnd C.
McDonald, assistant superinteiid
its, will represent the trnnsporta-
n departments. Frank 11. McCnne
ill represent the Medford Comincr-
al club. Mr. McCunc successfully
presented Medford shippers in pre
ous rate cases.
E
10 THE SENATE
WASHINGTON, May 31. Prim
dine, head of the Italian mission, t
vered in the senate chamber todav
message from King Victor Kimnan
el to the American people. lies
lendently pnrbed in uniforms of gold
nd blue with green shoulder sashe
le mission was enthusiastically n
eived.
The union of effort nnd purpose of
uly nnd the United States was em
hasized by the prince, who spoke in
nrt ns follows :
"In -this hour of danger, in whicl
Hillary misoiuiism is threatening
feryone, there are nations that have
orgotten old and new competitions
nd have united to defeat this men
ee to the common safetv. We arc
l a more fortunate position, lie
ivcen the United States of America
nd Italy there lin never been nnv
nuse of conflict. This new nnd cios
r union means for us a greater bnm;
f sympathy nnd solidarity, ndded to
hose which already linked us.
"This long friendship without ttrife.
firs union without mistrust, thi
loudless future nre enhanced bv the
net that both our peoples nre at wa
defend the same ideals of human
iy and justice''
PORTLAND, May 3 1. Kenneth
'fenton, Portland attorney, fell two
lies from a sleeping porch he was
pairing and suffered a fractured
kail. Attending physicians say he
annot recover. Fenton Is a son of
V. D. Fenton, former counsel for the
oothern Pacific here and was proml
et In Standford university athletics
BTeral years ago.
i
1
JTURE OF GUY pf!JH
U bt UtblUtU ARMY DRAFT LAW
WASHINGTON, May 31. In
a joint statement Issued today
from their respective party
headquarters here. Chairman
Willcox of the republican na-
tional committee and Chair-
man McCormick of the demo-
cratlc national committee, call-
ed upon party committeemen
and workers in all communities
thruout the country to put
their machinery into operation
to aid army draft registration
officers.
AMSTERDAM, May 31. Dr. Gus
tav A. Gross, leader of the German
National league, has been elected
president of the lower house of the
Austrian parliament, according to i
Vienna dispatch. In his opening ad
dress, Dr. Gross promised freedom
of speech and impartiality in debates
He urged the bouse to see to it that
the expectations of Austria's enemies
that great dissension would develop
during the session should remain un
filled.
We are one in our unshakeable
determination," he said, "to continue
the fight which was forced on us to
the greatly desired honorable peace
which will guarantee our safety and
Independence in the future. At the
same time nothing is further from
our thoughts than suppression of oth
er nations."
After the policies of various parties
had been stated by their representa
tives. Premier Count Clam-Martinic
said the government wovld make a
declaration in regard to all the ques
tions raised, in one of the first sit
tings after the speech from the
throne. The next sitting was fixed
for June 5.
Commenting on the meeting of the
Austrian parliament, the Tageblatt of
Berlin says divergencies of opinion
were marked, especially between the
Germans and the Czechs and that the
Austrian government had done noth
ing to improve this situation. It con
tinues: The fact is that the government
appears before the house without a
majority behind it nnd It may easily
happen that the government will find
itself In the minority."
Various successors to Count Clam
Martinic already are mentioned.
PKTlil Kill AI, May 31. The pro
visional government on the proposal
of the Finnish senate, has proclaimed
the complete or partial remission of
sentences pronounced on all Finnish
citizens for crimes or offenses com
mitted prior to March 29, 1017.
The government has nlso decreed
pressive measures against the abuse
of alcohol. Persons gelling drunk
or drinking to excess in public places
are liable to 18 months' imprisonment.
Persons while drunk committing rob
beries, nets of violence or other of
fenses will be liable to penal servi
tude for six or eight years.
EAST ST.
FAST ST. I.tll lS, III., May 31.
liar-e rioting broke out ngain last
night despite the fact that the city
was patrolled by local police, special
deputies and national guardsmen.
Five men shot one negro lind bent
two others.
The disturbances which started
Monday night grew out of a prole
against the importation of ncsro la
bor from the south. Citv officials
believe the situation is well in huud
today.
GERMANS FAIL
IN EFFORTS TO
Repeated Assaults Upon Positions
of Vantage Recently Taken by
French in Champagne Are Repuls
edArtillery Duel on British Front
Quiet Broken by Raids.
PARIS, May 31. The Germans at
tacked the French line in the Cham
pagne with extreme violence at sev
eral points last night. The attacking
forces were checked at Borne places by
the French fire and at others at the
point of the bayonet, the Germans re
tiring each time after heavy losses,
the war office announced today.
LONDON', May 31. "A hostile
raiding party was driven off early
this morning south of Armentleres,"
says today's official report on the
Franco-Belgian front operations. "We
secured a few prisoners.
"There was considerable artillery
activity on both sides during the night
in the neighborhood of Bullecotirt
and on the right bank of the Scarpe.
Lino Remains Intact.
Desperate attempts by the Germans
to push back the French from the
vantage ground won in the recent at
tacks by General Petain's forces in
the Champagne region have been re
newed.
As a whole the French line re
mained Intact under the successive se
vere blows deal it early today in a
sustained effort of an exeremely vio
lent and sanguinary character, gas
shells being liberally employed. The
front was dented at only one point
and this but slightly, the crown
prince's troopB gaining a footing in
some advanced trenches northeast of
Mont Hnut , ,
At tho Teton, the Casque, at posi
tions northwest of Auberive and at
Mont Blond, on the front against
which the attacks were launched, the
net German gain was nil, the valua
ble ground which the French need for
the pushing of a further offensive,
particularly for observation purposes,
being retained Intact. .
Quiet, on Ilrltlsh Front.
Along the British line In France
the comparative quiet continues,
broken into only by trench raids. In
creased artillery activity from the
Arras battle front, however is eported
today, the big guns on both sides hav
In started up again In somewhat live
ly fashion near BitUccourt and fur
ther north along the Scarpe east of
Arras.
ROME, May 81. Italian troops in
Albania have occupied the villages of
Cerevoda, Vellsest, Ozoja and Cafa
the war office announced today.
The towns occupied by the Italians
are in the central part of southern
Albania. This extension of the Mace
donian front westward to Avlona on
the Adriatic has been long held by
Italian forces. Their advance is re
claiming more of Albania from Aus
trian influence.
RUSSIA TO RAISE
PETKOORAD, May 31. The pro
visionnl government today approved
the proposal of Temporary Finance
Minister Teretschenko to raise 2,000,
01111,0(1(1 rubles nnd take steps for se
curing for the treasury "the supply of
paper money which already has be
come indispensable," the official news
agency nnnounces.
The government's nproval of the
measure was unanimous, it is sai.l.
KAISER RECEIVED AT
Dl
COPKNHAGKN, May 31. The
German emperor on his recent visit
to the western front was received nt
Douni by General Von Huelow. Gen
eral Von Buelow wns former' in
command of the German forces on
the Monnstir front and recently has
been brought across Europe to com
mand one of the armies on the Amis
front.
RECAPTURELINE
OF
WASHINGTON, May 31.
President Wilson has sent a
document to the Russian gov
ment outlining the war alms of
the United States and It Is un
derstood, dealing with the po
sition of "no annexations." "no
Indemnities' set out by Rus
sian officials. It is not to be
published until Ambassador
Francis In Petrogrnd has hud
opportunity to present It to
the Russian government and
then It will be given out In
Washington. The terms of the
communication meanwhile are
regarded as highly confidential.
PEACE PROGRAM
BY
COPF.NflAGF.N, May 31. The pro
gram of the majority Socialist dele
gates to the Stockholm conlerence
evidently from tho statements of Dr.
Eduard David, one of the lending
delegates, carries no endorsement by
the German government. Dr. David
clearly intimated that the action of
the delegation is only binding upon
its party nnd that tho envoys have no
definite pledges or authorization
from the administration nt Berlin.
The hopesof the delegates that the
German government ultimately will
be found amenable to the majority
socialist program of pence without
annexations or indemnities nre bnsed
partly iixn tho party's strength and
inflenee in Germany nmU-partlv upon
the indefinite statements of that mus
ter pliruse-ninkcr, Chancellor Von
Bethmnnn-Ilollwcg, like his declara
tion that the government is rend to
conclude a peace "which will leave
no thorns to rankle."
Dr. David does not hope that pence
will result directly from the Stock
holm movement. The utmost he ex
pects is that tho conference will lny
basis for a peace movement on
which peace lovers in nil countries
can unite.
If conferences prove abortive, Dr.
David declares that Germany has
perfected its organization so ns to
live on what it can raise nnd it will
continue the struggle without weaken
ing. In answer to n question regard
ing the present Germnn attitude to
ward America, the socialist leader
said that there was no one in Ger
many who did not regret the break
with the United Stnles nnd that it
was the general hope that the wnr
would be concluded before America's
participation in the conflict could be
come netunl.
T
COPENHAGEN, May 31. The Lo
kal Anzelger is quoted in a Berlin dis
patch us stilting that tho Austrian
and German governments have decid
ed against the appointment of a re
gent for Poland at the present time,
ft is proposed, however, to Increase
the powers of tho provisional council
of state, the newspaper says, follow
ing the declaration by the council that
an immediate Institution of the regen
cy was imperative.
The Lokal Anzelger's statement
would tend to confirm yesterday's re
port that the council of stale had re
signed. TWELVE KILLED IN
MISSOURI CYCLONE
ST. UlUlS, Mo., May 31 Twelve
persons were killed and iibout forty
injured in the tornadoes that swept
southeastern Missouri nnd southern
Illinois yesterday afternoon.
The town of Mineral Point, Mo
where four persons lost their lives.
was wiped out. Losses of life also
were reported at Dichlstudt, Mo., nnd
Palmer, Mo., and three negroes per
ished nt Hodges Park, Alexander
county, Ills. Morn than twenty per
sons were hurt at Mounds, Ills.
SUGAR
, COFFEE
AND TEA TO PAY
Ti
Senate Committee Places Two Cents
a Pound on Coffe, Five Cents on
Tea, Half a Cent on Sugar and
Three Cents on Cocoa Tax Upon
Munitions to be Eliminated.
WASHINGTON, .May 31. Tho sen
ate finance committee today decided
to provide in the war tax bill to raise
$80,000,000 by consumption taxes or
two cents a pound on coffee, five
conts on ten, and one-half cent on
sugar und three cents on cocoa.
Another important change agreed
upon was the elimination of the pres
ent tax of 1214 per cent tax on war
munitions, now raising $26,000,000.
Substitutes for tea and coffee will
bo tnxed.
From the new taxes the committee
estimates tho following revenue will
be raised: Sugar, $50,000,000; cof
fee, $18,000,000; tea, $3,000,000 and
Cocoa, $7,000,000. Coffee and tea
taxes will he levied upon Imports. Ar
rangomonts are being mndo to take
care of Import contracts made before
May 1 by requiring purchasers from
Importers Instead of the latter to pay
the taxes. Under the house bill It
was proposed to tax coffee one cent a
pound and tea two cents.
Abolish .Munitions Tax.
The decision to abolish the present
speclnl tax of 12 per cent on war
munitions was said to be due to two
reason diminishing of the tax and
imposition of increased excoss profits
on all corporations which will roach
the munitions makers. While this
year's revenue from the munitions
tax was estimated to yield $25,000
000, treasury experts told .the com
mittee It would be much smaller next
year. ,
Another provision adopted today
by the committee would exempt from
taxation alcohol reclaimed by rotlnlng
beer and reducing its alcohol content
in the making of "near beer" when
such alcohol becomes denatured for
commercial purposes.
The committee did not discuss the
proposed postal incrouse on second
class publications.
E
BY
CLEVELAND, May 31. Earth
shocks wore recorded at St. Ignutlu
observatory early today. Beginning
at 4:03 a. in. they reached the maxi
mum at 4:15 nnd subsided at 5
a. m. No estimate as to distance or
location is given.
WASHINGTON, May 31. Earth
quake tremors lasting over a period
of two hours were recorded this morn
ing by the Georgetown University
seismograph. They began at 3:5
o clock, reached their maximum n
4:20 nnd censed at 0 o'clock. Unlvcr
slty oxperts estimated tho center of
tho disturbance at 4 000 miles dls
tant.
SEATTLE, May 31. A vlolcn
earthquake, whoso seat was Indicated
lu Aluska, 1000 miles northwest of
Seattle, was recorded on the Univer
sity of Washington seismograph last
night and this morning, beginning at
11:54, nttalning Its maximum in tw
violent shocks at 12:02 and 12:0
anil subsiding at 1:20. The courso
of tho needlo Indicated enrth slips
rather than volcanic outbursts.
ANTI-DRAFT PLOT
COLt Mlil'S, 0 May 31. An an
ti-dral'l plot, with national headiiuar
tcrs in this city, to induce young me
of military age to retrain from regis
tcring fur draft next Tuesday, ha
been uncovered by slate and govern
mcnt secret service agents, according
to announcement made this otter-
noon by Governor Jnmcs M. Cox.
A printing shop was raided nnd
mass of literature seized.
AXES FOR WAR
AGAIN REJECTED BY
HOUSE BY 184 T0 144
WASHINGTON, May 31. A
motion to recommit the espi
onngo bill with Instructions to
strike out the press censorship
section was carried in tho
house today by a vote of IS!
to 144.
BRITISH LOSSES
FRONT
112,000 IN MAY
LONDON, May 31 British ens
unities ns published ill May show a
total of 51)02 officers nnd 10(1,331
Tho British offensive on the Ar
ras trout, involving some ot the se
verest fighting of the war, naturally
has resulted in a largo increase in
disunities over tho inactivo winter
season. disunities lor the Inst lew
mouths have not been received, but
in February the total reported was
only 1,243 ofieers nnd 17,185 men,
llio assertion of the British tluit
their losses are fifty per cent smaller
than in tho battle of the Somme, not
withstanding the fact that larger
forces are engaged, is not borne out
by the May figures, nlllio in the ab
sence of the casualties report for
April, early in which month the of
tensive wus launched, the showing is
not conclusive. The casualties re
corded in the first three lnonllw of
the Somme drive were 3(17,10!) offi
cers nnd men. In August Inst yenr
the second month of the Somme but
tle, the casualties were 117,04), ns
compared with 112,233 for May, the
second month of the Anns battle.
NO PAY DAY FOR
SAN FHANCISCO, May 31. All
the formalities of pay day except one
were gone through with nt the offi
cers training camp here today. The
men drew no money.
So long as the men own their own
razors nnd shoo rags, it, is hard to
tell which ones are millionaires and
which nre without funds, but un un
dercurrent of uneasiness exists at the
camp. Most of the men expected to
get $100 n month and it is sai.l the
chances are they will get it as soon
as congress gets around to il, but il
has not ycl been appropriated. Those
who borrowed money to gel here spenl
part of it today in postage I'or Idlers
explaining why, just now, they cannot
pay it back. Owners of places of
amusement reported today a diminu
tion in attendance of students from
the camp. Tobacco merchants said
that the sale of expensive cigarettes
had decreased but there was strong
demand for cigarette papers und
sninll bags of tobacco.
WASHINGTON, May 31,-Thc
long drawn out contest over the qucs-
tion of a newspaper censorship was
renewed in the house today. Party
lilies stood mil ns the ileliate began.
Republicans generally opisiscd the
censorship section while democrats
generally supported it.
Modification of the censorship pro
posed by conference report on the
espionage bill would forbid wilful
publication of military intonmilion,
but not news of equipment of nrmed
forces and the president would be au
thorized to declare by proclamation
whnt information would not he use
ful to the enemy and might be pub
lishcd. Jury trial lor persons ac
cused of violations would bo per
mitted,
CONFRONTSSPAIN
AS WAR RESULT
Constitutional Guarantee to Be Sus
pended Former Premier.. Declares
Conditions Becoming Graver Every
Hour Recent Mass Meeting of
Pro-Aly Sympathizers Important.
MADRID, May 31. According to
tho newspapers tho constitutional
guarantees will be suspended again
In two or three days.
Former Premier Count Romanones
has declared to an intimate friend
that he regretted ho was not Invited
to the mass meeting held by pro-ally
sympathizers last Sunday. He said
that if ho bad been present he would
havo maintained the declarations
made In his letter to King Alfonso at
the time he resigned. He added that
many Liberals, who were partisans ot
tho allies, would also have liked to be
present. Discussing the same subject
with the correspondent ot a French,
newspaper, Count Romanones said:
"The meeting was of enormous im
portance. lt will perhaps exercise a
greater Influence on foreign than
home policies.
Kit tuition Confused. .
Asked what he thought ot the situ
ation in Spain, the former premier
declared that it became more grave
and more confused "every day and
every hour ot the day." Questioned
as to whether he thought the Cortes
would be summoned, Count Romano
nes smiled and said: "I am not too
sure of that." . ' '1
. Minister ot tho Interior Burets has
prohibited nil public manifestations
relative to International question as
"dangorous to tho interest of the
country, in view of the Important di
plomatic negotiations now going on,"
Sovornl such , demonstrations had
bocn planned' In Madrid and other
cities.
devolution Humored.
The constitutional guarantees were
suspended nt Spain at the end of
March following sovoral strlkeB and
serious dlsordors thruout the country.
It was reported in Washington that a
revolutionary movement was In pro
gross, but this was denied by the
Spanish ambassador. The operations
of tho censorship have cut off definite
Information regarding the recent In
ternal situation In Spain.
KEEP SLACKERS
LEAVING U. S.
JACKSONVILLE, Fin., May 31."
Sheriffs along tho Florida coast to
day maintained close watch for slack
ers who might attempt to leave the
stuto for foreign shores by launch or
steamer to escape registration. Un
der instructions from Governor Catts,
who says ho has information that not
a few draft subjects have already left
for Cuba, tho sheriffs will from now
until next Tuesday detain any person
within the ago limit suspected ot try
ing to escnpo.
WASHINGTON, May 31. It was
announced todny that steps had been
taken to prevent men subject to mili
tary registration from leaving the
country beforo Juno 5. Department
of Justice officials said every effort
was being mndo to prevent evasion ot
tho Inw by leaving the country.
IRAL
DEAD AT AGE OF 94
WASHINGTON, May 31. Ameri
can naval officers everywhere today
wire mourning the dentil of Rear
Admiral Upshur, who until his dentil
here last night of heart failure, wnH
the olilest living graduate of the na
val academy nnd deun of the flag
officers. He wus !)l yenrs old nnd
his naval career had included service
with Commodore Perry in the his
toric voyage to Japan, service in the
civil war with Porter nnd ninny im
IMirlunt eninuiands with the newer
nnvy.