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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 31, 1916)
Editorial Page of "The Capital Journal" Tl'KSDAY EVKN1X0, October :ti, mm. CHARLES H FISHES, Editor and Manager. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING EXCEPT SUNDAY, SALEM, OREdON, BY Capital Journal Ptg. Co., Inc. L. S. BARNES, CHAS. H. FISHER, President. Vice-Preiiiilont. DORA C. ANDRES EN, Bee. and Trea. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Daily by carrier, per year $5.00 Per month . 45c Daily by mail, per year 3.00 Per month i 35c FULL LEASED WIRE TELEORAPH REPORT . EASTERN REPRESENTATIVES New York, Ward-Lewis-Williams Special Agency, Tribune Building Chicago, W. II. Stockwell, People's Gas Building The Capital Journal carrier boys are instructed to put the papers on the porch. If the carrier does not do this, misses you, or neglects getting the paper to you on time, kindly phone the circulation manager, as this is the only tray we can determine whether or not the carriers are following instructions. Phone Maiu 81 before 7:30 o'clock and a pnper will be sent you by special messenger if the carrier has missed you. CAR SHORTAGE IS INEXCUSABLE STOP GAMBLING IN FOOD STUFFS The Public Service Commission has made a critical examination of the car shortage and the reasons there for, and has made its findings public. That is about all it could do, although in some places it was thought a remedy would be found that would at least improve the situation. No doubt the commission would gladly undertake to do this, but unfortunately it has not the authority backed by the power to compel the road to come through. The commission saw a year ago, and pointed out to the South ern Pacific the conditions liable to confront it and recommended then that the company prepare in advance for the conditions that it was foreseen would arise. The Commission did all it could. It led the horse to water, but it could not make it drink. The report shows the Southern Pacific did nothing to prevent the shortage, nor has it done anything material toward relieving it. The report shows conclusively that the state is discriminated against in favor of California despite the strenuous denial of the road's officials, and it shows that in the face of the promise of President Sproule to better conditions, that they have grown steadily worse. The report further shows that it is not lack of finances that has prevented the road providing more cars, for in the last four years it has not only declared its annual dividend of six per cent but has during that time laid up a surplus of more than forty million dollars. The Commission makes certain suggestions as to what the road should do to relieve the situation, and while re taining jurisdiction of the case gives the road ( twenty days to say what it will do regarding its suggestions. What the road will do is easily foretold. It will do as it pleases; but it will probably use diplomatic language in telling the commission so. It will confess. and avoid, as the lawyers would say, and that is all there will be to it. It is easily seen that the car shortage will be over be fore anything can be done about it, and all that can be accomplished is to learn our lesson from what we have experienced, and ask the legislature to furnish the proper club to the commission so that hereafter it will not have to say "please" when it asks the Southern Pacific to do its duty to the people of the state. In just one week there will be a whole lot of people who are just now engaged in making predictions about the result of the election, who will be out of a job. It's a dead shot that about half of them are wrong for they predict according to their politics and both sides have a small army of them. The truth is that there is a large element whose vote cannot even be guessed at, and this vote will, in all probability, decide the result. According to the Wall street gamblers the result is extremely doubt ful, for they, while a short time ago wagering two to one that Hughes would be elected, have switched until the odds are ten to nine and bets are made at even money. However, that is only their opinion, and it is worth no more than anyone's else. Governor Withycombe seems to hate an idea the flax experiment was made for the sole purpose of giving the prisoners at the pen employment. While this was one object, the main one was to demonstrate whether or not the growing of flax could be profitable in the Willamette valley. State Treasurer Kay was right in asserting that it should be made a financial success if possible. The governor also wanted to know of Superintendent Minto why he did not furnish more prisoners to assist in caring for the flax. The governor evidently overlooks the fact that he has just released eight per cent of the prison population and thus reduced the labor supply. Cupid played a poor second to the divorce court in San Francisco recently. The record was ten marriage licenses and seventeen divorce cases in 24 hours. At this rate San Francisco will soon be populated with "un married" folks. The losses of states as told by the wise ones in either political party is much like the losses as given out in the war. Each fellow's loss is estimated by his enemy. LADD & BUSH, Bankers Established 18GS CAPITAL $500,000.00 Transact a General Banking Business Safety Deposit Boxes SAVINGS DEPARTMENT The Master Bakers of Chicago have started-a move ment to petition congress to lay an embargo on wheat in order to stop the increase in the price of wheat and flour. Of course the movement will get nowhere. The farmers for once are having their inning and getting bigger prices for their products than under normal conditions. Is that not tru.e also of most industries? How about United States Steel and Bethlehem? They are getting double prices lor their products not only abroad,, but here at home are making our own people pay war prices for all steel products. It is so in leather and its products, and yet while paying two prices for shoes no one is sug gesting an embargo on these. Why make flesh of one and fish of another? If prices are to be kept down by an embargo all products should be treated alike, and how long would the little steel com panies and the leather trust stand to have their foreign market cut off? The farmers got more out of the present rise in wheat than they did from any previous one, for the jump started before they had sold out, and before the speculators had gathered in the bulk of the year's products. As a general thing they get little of the increased prices for those are jumped up after the speculators have corralled the crop. The thing to do is to pass a law making it a crime for anyone to speculate in foodstuffs. To put on the statute books the provision that when food stuffs are sold the buyer can compel the delivery of the material instead of paying the difference in price. This would stop the gambling in futures and steady the market so the farmer would get some of the advanced price instead of the speculators getting it all. i Congressman Hawley says southern Oregon will cast a heavy vote for Hughes and give him a great majority. He estimates the majority in Coos county for Hughes at 1,500. Of course Mr. Hawley's speeches "had not had time to soak in when this statement was made, and this will probably account for the big falling off from the estimate the returns will probably show. He failed to state whether he explained the effects of the Adamson bill and why he voted for it, since, as the Oregonian and Hughes assert it was a "gold brick." Perhaps he took the Oregonian's view of it which seems to be that only 20 per cent of the railroad men were handed this "gold brick" and it is sore at the democrats for not gold brick ing the other 80 per cent. Maybe Mr. Hawley was just doing the best he could. . . Mrs. Hanlev evidently indulges in flights of fancy as well as oratory. In her speech at Albany Saturday she is reported as saving among other things that when Lng- land seized Sweden's mail, Sweden seized England's and that England at once made amends when she saw her bluff was called. "We thought you might be like the United States and write us a note or two, England said." It would make real interesting reading if the lady could produce the documents showing England said this or any thing like it to Sweden or any one else. Countries do not use that kind of language, in dealing with each other, and the statement that it was used, is evidence that the good lady had a dream. If her other statements are as truth ful as this one she must have diffused a wealth of in formation to her hearers. The Hughes editors should get together and agree on some course as to the eight hour bill. One says it was "a cowardly surrender to force' Another insists it will ruin the railroads if they are not given permission to charge higher rates. Still another thinks the farmers should have been consulted because they will have the bills, to pay. Yet another says that instead of surrender ing to the railroad men that congress handed them a mass of bunk and gave them nothing. Others trail along with the assertion that the railroad men will have to work longer for less pay than before the law went into effect. Others still insist that only a few are affected and that all should be buncoed. Besides these there are dozens of other views of the law expressed and each at variance with the others. It is bewildering and the republican papers should get together and straighten it out so the country would know just what was the matter with the bill anyway. J. D. Rockefeller, jr., is "thrifty" even in politics. While a number gave from $10,000 to $25,000 each for the republican campaign fund, young John D. put up $8,000. Still it is probably far better than his daddy would have done. "Seven bright new pennies" is about the old man's limit. . The Oregonian resenting the Capital Journal's calling attention to its indorsement of Gifford Pinchot whom it has everlastingly lambasted as a fool over his conserva tion ideas, and its holding him up as worthy of following on political matters, scornfully asserts that it "prints many things it does not indorse, for instance, Wilson's speeches." Very true; it like every newspaper worthy of the name prints the news as nearly correct as possible, but its editorial page is the newspaper's own, and for it the paper is responsible. It might be added that the Oregonian prints many things that the public does not indorse either, and most of these are on the editorial page. It may have an illustration of this in the near future. The Hughes campaign of villification and abuse is as absurd as it is contemptible. Here we have Senator Lodge saying on the stump, on hearsay evidence, that President Wilson had attached a postscript to the last Lusitania note in which the German government was re quested not to tajce the contents of the note seriously. Now, is it possible that Lodge or any Hughes campaigner believes that any intelligent voter will believe such a silly yarn? Do the party managers regard the American people as lacking the brdinary faculties of reason? It would certainly seem so. If the Adamson eight-hour day law was only a "gold brick" handed to 20 per cent of the railroad employes, as the Oregonian asserts, why do the other 80 per cent want its provisions to apply to them? The Oregonian this morning states that this neglected 80 per cent are pre paring petitions asking that the Adamson law apply to them also. Those who are talking about making potato bread will have to be in a hurry about it for potatoes are on the aeroplane and are quoted at one dollar a bushel in a dis patch from Lebanon yesterday. Sales are reported to eastern buyers who want to get their shipments made before winter, and the shortage of cars may cause the sales to be cancelled. An undelivered letter written on a clay tablet by a master to his servant 2,200 years before Christ, has just been opened and read by a Babylonian expert in the Pennsylvania University. This,' like some of the letters sent over by the war correspondents, was "delayed by the mail." Anyway it escaped the censor. Senator Thomas P. Gore, the famous blind statesman and orator, will speak in Salem tonight, at the armory at 8'o'clock. His address will no doubt be the most entertain' ing and instructive of the entire campaign on either side, since Senator Gore is famous for his quick wit, magnetic personality and splendid oratorical attainments. California is always reporting something out of the usual line. The latest is a report from Tulare, that a recent earthquake started a geyser to spouting, that in termittently spouted live blind fish. This is real fish story though far out of the ordinary in that line. THE MOVING FINGER The Moving Finger writes: and Wf mnv read the fateful lesson of its changeless screed, of which no man may cancel half a line, by all his prayers, by all his flow of brine. All useless things must perish from the earth, which has but room for things of proven worth. In every age some fool ishness is stopped; in every age some worthless thines are drnnnprl Trio less tmn&s mav erow and flourish long, and lng the world endures some grevious wrong, but when their time has come to bump the bumps, no power can save them from the divers dumps. And so Old Booze is slipping day by day; nothing can stop him on his downward way; the world has had enough of gin and rye, nations and states and villages go dry. Friends of Old Booze are fighting for him hard, weapons in hand they stand upon their guard, but all in vain their brave defense of rum Old Booze must go be cause his time has come. 1 1 norses Wanted We will be at the feed barn at Salem, Thursday, November 2, lino, to buy Horses and -mares that weigh from 1,200 up; from T 4 to 9 years old; fat and free I from blemishes. We will buy all X colors, if you have a horse to spare, bring it in and get the I eastern market price. Now is a good time to sell; don't feed them T . uvcr lue miner. v win uv mere, a. rain or shine. Don't forget the GOSLETT & GLASS NOTICE We are iu the market to pur chase old papers and magazines of all kinds. If you have 100 H pounds or luu tons please phone 700 and we will promptly call to see you. WESTERN JTJNK CO. Phone 706. G. A. R. Editor Comes Out For President Washington, Oct. 31. That every ft. A. H, veteran owes a debt of gratitude to the administration of President Wil son is the depuration of Colonel John McElroy of this city, a lifejong repub lican, and for. 32 years editor of the National Trihune, official national or gan of the (Irnnil Army of the Repub lic. Colonel Mr Kirov has refused to go on the stump tor Hughes. "Tor me to take tliu,tump against Wilton would lie to smite the hand that" helped us." he says. "We old soldiers owe much to President Wilson. The new widow's pension law comes more nearly to doing justice to the . wives and dependents of old soldiers than any pension law ever passed. Commissioner .Snlizgnbcr, appointed head of the pension bureau by Presi dent W'ilson, has been one of the most efficient . pension commissioners we have ever had. "Of course, most O. A. R. veterans arc republicans. I am myself. But, how-, ever itim-li we disagree with the demo crats over purely party matters, as vet erans of the Civil war, we must ad mit a debt to President Wilson aad his administration." BAI&ES LOTS OF BEANS Edward Theobald, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. C'ostello has been unking a visit nt The Pleasant View Farm in the Evnns Valley, during the past week. Mr. Theobald put all his "beans" in one basket this year uud from his ranch, of 200 acres located at Madesso, Cal produced 1,200 pounds to the acre and sold his crop for six cents per pound, or $14,400 for the entire crop. Mr. Cos tello hnd something in the way of chick ens to show the boy when he reached Oregon. Mr. Costel'lo has 1.100 White Leghorn chickens, 800 of which are this year's hatch, 20-per cent of which are now laying eggs. .Silverton Appeal. ALICE PEDERSON PASSES Alice Pedersen, age 19 years, passed away at the home of her father, Rev. N. Pedersou at Los Ane-eles. Cnl.. Thiir. day, October 19. .She was the youngest child of a family of 12 all of whom are living. Kev. Pedersen was at one time pastor of the Svhod Lutheran eh this city. Deceased was born in thi city. Silverton Appeal. DI M0. DID CLIFFORD HAVE A MOTIVE? 8 CUAPTKR LXIII. Hal I.ockwood had called my husband "Cliff" several times during the din ner. It brought back to my mind the letter received so long ago signed L. Q. I believed it came from Mrs. Gardner. .She too had called him " Cliff "" Qenr Cliff " I had never yet ventured a nickname or abbreviation with him. Why was I so little at my ease with himf Muriel lnughed and joked con tinually wtih Burton. But then they were almost the same age, while we then came a thought that brought blushes to my cheeks, and when I push ed aside with all my strength: "Would I have been more like Muriel had I mar ried Leonard Brooke I" Mai Lockwood was au interesting talker, and it was later than usual when we rose from the table. I had coffee served in the library, and both Clifford and Mr. I.ockwood smoked. But in spite of his seeming interest in what our guest was saying. Clifford kept lookiug at his watch. JSuddeuly he rose and said: "I must run away now, I.ockwood. You remember I told you I had an en gagement. But don 't you hurry away," as Mr. I.ockwood rose, "stay and keep Mildred company, She will play and sing for you. She does both fairly well-" "It seems she'does everything well." he graciously responded, theu to me, "You are sure I shall not be boring you if I accept Cliff's invitation f" "No, indeed! I hate being alone," lint I smiled up at Clifford as I said it. He had said nice things to me twice that ewvening. Surely I must be gain ing a little ground or he would not have done so. But all the time I was wondering what it meant. If Clifford had some motive in leaving me alone with a man to whose attention, and gift of flow ers, he had so objected. An Evening With Hal Lockwood. After Clifford left I suggested we go into the drawing room and have some music. "Can't we stay here and talk a little while longer!'' he questioned. "We will have all the evening for music." "Very well," I laughed, resuming my chair, "but I am not much of a talker, as you probably have observed." Then again I wondered as to Clifford's motive. He had laughed at me; sneer ed when I said Mr. Lockwood was "nice," yet he had deliberately forced me to entertain him alone. As I said before. Hal Lockwood was an interesting talker, and I listened with the keenest pleasure as he told of his travels and the quaint out-of-lhe-way places he had visited. I was start led when the clock struck 10, and he also looked surprised. "May we have the music now!" he asked. , "Certainly! I had no idea it was. so late. You shouldn't be so entertain ing," I returned as I led the way to the I piano. "What shall I play for youf " "Sing, please!" he returned as he turned over the music. "Sing this," and he placed a Lullaby before me. I was delighted at his choice, as it was a song admirably suited to mv voice, and one which I knew I enng well." When I finished he placed another song on the rack without a word. I was. a bit chagrined at his silence, but thia song was also a favorite with me, and . I sang with pleasure at his selection. "Thank you!" he said when I had finished. ' ' You have a delightful voice. Now play for me." My cheeks flushed with pleasure as I obeyed his order to play for him. When I had played for nearly an hour I stop ped and rose from the"beneh. " Tired t" he asked. ' ' No, but you must be.' ' "Not by any means, but I must go. It is nearly midnight. I want to thank you for one of the most enjoyable even ings I have spent for a long time." . "ButI am such an amateur compared "You remember the first time I saw yon I told VOU I didn 't car tnr nrofsi. sional entertainers. I haven't changed my mind." (Tomorrow Waiting for Clifford.)