- A
,
5000 CIRCULATION
25,000 BEADEES DAILY)
Only Circulation in Salem Guar
anteed by the Audit Bureau of
Circulations
FULL LEASED WIRE
DISPATCHES
SPECIAL WILLAMETTE VAL
LEY NEWS &EKVICE
-
Wea&sr Report ;
regoa: Tonight rain west
portion, sleudy east portion;
Wednesday rain, brisk south-
easterly winds, .
.
FORTY-SECOND YEAR NO. 7.
SALEM, OREGON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1919.
PRICE TWO CENTS
ON TRAINS AND NE.WB
OTAVD8 FTVF, CENTS
M
M- II flf ! llTff "ill
WILSON IS EXPECTED TO
SUBMIT PEACE TREATY
TO PEOPLE OF AMERICA
Would Put Endorsement Up
To Public Opinion Rather
Than Hostils Congress.
By Robert jr. Bender.
(United Press Staff Correspondent.)
(Copyright 1919 by the United Press.)
- Paris, Jan. 14, President Wilson is
expected to bo before the American Deo
I'le after the treaty is siguod to urge '
ia ruuncauon ana solitary support of1
Hie new world thought it embodies. !
Thus, shattering another precedent,!
the president would put the verdict of
endorsement of the per.ee settlement up
to public opinion rut E'er than to a hos
tile congress, it was pointed out.
The belief was expressed by friends
today that Wilson will tour the country
late this fall, taking the opportunity
to nrgo new domestice policies that lend
themselves to changing international
ideals. He is expected to give the koj
of his policy when he addresses con
prosa after his return from Kurope. nisi
course after that will be determined
largely by the attitude in Washington.
Will Return to Trance.
That the president will return to
France to be present ut the actual eon
Humiliation of peace seems to be a fore
gone conclusion. Much of his future
domestic policy will rest on the fiupl
details or the peaco settlement. Ho
linpcs that peace will insure the possi
bility of a new kind of trade relations,
built upon friendship rather than upon
treaties and jealousies.
The presenco of Vunco McCormick,
fternard Btvrueh, Edward Hurley and
C'linrles Schwab will enable Wilson ta
study domestice problems in relation to
foreign affairs. He ean keep pace with
developments and will be in a position
SENATORS KENYON AND
BORAH SOUND WARNING
Declare That Old Political Par
ties Will Be Soon Replac
ed By New One
5
By L. C. Martin
(United Press staff correspondent)
Wnshington, Jan. 14. That a new
alignment of the people is coming up
that will aweep uway existing political
thirties unless (hey face and solve re
adjustment problems was the warning
founded to democratic and republican
chieftains today by Senators Konyon
end Uorah, progressive leaders.
They cautioned against "ostrich tac
inw" as a means of disposing of the
Menace of Bolshevism in the United
folates. They urged hoiu;st, fearless,
Straightforward tactics by the govern
ment and political barters to copo with
reconstruction problems affecting the
gnat mans cf the American people
After sounding the warning to 'stand
ttors" in both parties that '"a tor
si fie jolt is coming to them from tho
(American peop'e" unless present con
ditions are remedied, Borah and Kon
yon outlined wuys of meeting the bol
tihcvisni menace- to this country.
Sentiments of Progressives
Their statements to the Uuited Press
today represented the sentiments of
tue progressive group in the senate.
"Those in power, whether in polit-i-j1
parties or in the government, who
(Mind themselves to the menace of bol
hiievism in the country are courting
disaster," said Kenyon. "The work
ers of this country recognize the men
see. Thfy don't want bolshevism. They
tear it. But thev realize it is spread
ing here and that something must be
. done to stop it. They look to their
loader to atop it.
" Appeals re b-eing made to republi
can and demoeiatic party leaders-to
wt their respective parties on record
or a bread, wise governmental irel
ire policy -that wiU recoenize the
fight, of, the - workers as they have
never boen recognised. One of tho most
Con-i Tvative-men; . in tha republican
arty discussed the question with me
, recently; because of requests-from his
. oostituenta that he get congress busy
on welfare -legislation.' He is party
: lender,' a presidential possibility. He
realizes -themraace. Hut thj party lead
ers do- not. - -
People Want Action
. "What the people want i antiOn,
MOt talk; results, . not promises. The
wise political party is the one which
will go on. record for and then obtain
taws like the following?
"One-v-Oejtinif at once, a eonunia
ion on public works to cooperate with
the states in pushing necessary public
work during hard times and to act as
buffer in absorption of surplus labor
So the reconstruction period. This will
remove the unemployment menace,
'which is growing by leaps and bounds.
"Two Creating "a. nntiowal employ
rnrnt bureau to cooperate, with the
(Staffs.
' "Three Providing help in ertaWish
. i ig homes far worKerg. Finaneo this
1 '. y a plan simi'ar to the farm loan
ankj.
tj arrive at a definite policy thst could
be launched immediately after the
treaty. was signed.
wesidont brought the American
tra 'visors and peaee delegates to
geth the first time at a dinner in
tas Ik-. .-, "unlace last night. Thjs was
belicvi -. .-, have resulted in steps to
ward co j. ition of their work which
will eonVjV 'n close relation as the
negotiation. yress. ' ':.'
a Va i m I
"temaIur-,Hafism''Hit
Hard B nator Kmick
"Crimina Syndacalism" is a new
torm which made its appearance in the
senate yesterday in t bill introduced by
Sonator Dimick to curb the activities
of lawless I. W. W. or others who seok
to promote industrial or political revo,
lution by violence.
"Criminal syndacalism," says the
bill, 'Ms horeby defined to be the doc
trine which advocates crime, violence,
force, arson, destruction of properly,
sabotcgo, or othoT unlawful acts or
methods Or any such acts, as a mears
of accomplishing or effecting industrial
or political ends, or as a means of ef
fecting industrial or political revolu
tion." A penalty of one to five years impris
onment or a fino from $200 to 11000 is
provided for anyone guilty of teaching
by word of mouth or writing, the expe
diency of crime, criminal syndacalism,
or sabotage as a means of effecting in
dustrial or political revolution.
This penalty is also provided for any
one guilty of belonging to an organiza
tion which teaches or practices such
crimes, or who consorts with others for
the purpose of committing such of
fences. "Pour Vocational training for all.
"Five Extending soldiers and tail
ors' insuranco. to men in industry.
"Six Establishment of courts f
mediation and conciliation (voluntary)
"Seven Old age, sickness aud dis
ability insurance."
Borah, a bitter foe of the doctrine
of wiping out bolshevism by repression
or force, suid.
"One hears upon every hand those
days tho doctrine of force. We are to
force peace and we are to have force
to maintain peace, we are to have force
to end our labor disturbances. Instead
of talking force and repression, let us
preach co-operation and tolerance. Bol
shevism is tho fruit of force. We must
kick tho psychology of war from our
midst. Wo must avoid ostrich tactics
if we don't want a terrific jolt from
tlje people.
General Principles
"There are a few general principles
which, if we adhere to them, will sim
plify the situation:
"One We must get back absolutely
to the constitutional government, to
the principles upon which our fathers.
bunt, and eschew all abitrary meas
ures "Two Wo must establish complete
freedom of speech and of the press.
No man In these times should be em
barrassed in the free and open discus
sion of great public questions upon
which depends our whole future.
I "Three The principle of the law
of cooperation in the industrial world
(should be substituted for the old law
of tooth and claw. Labor must unttcr-
: stand that it has an interest in the
'great industries of the country, aside
from the mere question of wage.
"Pour A system of taxation must
be devised equitabjc and fair between
ll parties, but always baed upon the
principle of ability "to pay,.
"Five The people and the govern
ment must get closer -together.
"Six The perfectly unconscious
waste of money mnst cease, i do not
oelieve the disposition to waste pub
lic money ever had such a hold upon
public service as now, and this is prac
tically regardless of party lines. Exlrav
aganee in public funds, thereby bur-
'dealing- the people with oppressive tax-
'es and sterilizing initiative in all lines
of industry is one of toe thing upon
which 'bolshevism flourishes."
FOR EARLY OOHVOY
wasmngton, Jan. l. in,, runowing
organizations have been assigned to j
early convoy home:
Hnnnit battalion ivnd machine ffun !
company of the 3ft7th infantry (92d
'division); 'First and Third battalions,
'medical detachment and machine gun
'eomj-any of 369th infantry (93d divis
ion); supply eompany and First bettal
; ion of 3oth infarrtry (933 division.)
DAVIS OOMXS TO PEN
Portland, Or., Jan, 14. Arthur C.
i Davis, who pleaded guilty to the charge
f robbirig the Bast Side bank, will be
taken ,ta the penitentiary at balcm to
jday or tomorrow.
Davis was sentenced to serve from
ONE HOUR SESSION
HOUSE SETTLED
BUSINESS
Speaker Jones Announced
Committee Assignments Just
Before Adjournment
HERBERT GORDON HEADS
WAYS AND MEANS BODY
Action 0nv ProMbidsn Post
poned M After Gover
nor's Inaugural Address.
A session of ona hour wni all that
was necessary this morning for the
house of representativee to dispose of
the business on the calendar and to ad
journ until 2 o'clock this afternoon to
hoar the inaugural address of Govern
or Withycombo.
Tho strain as to who would draw
prises in, committee assignments by
Speaker JJcymour Jones is new over as
the spoakor announced his assignments
just before adjournment. On the all im
portant waya and means committee,
Herbert Aikiruon of Portland drew the
prize as chairman. Othor members on
this committee are Haines of Hillsboro,
Kubli of Portland, Bariiaug'i of Enter
prise, Thompson of The Dalles, Childs
of Linn, Brand of Roseburg and Loon
oy of Marion.
Housa bills introduced Monday after
noon were called for a e;cnd reading
and referred to the proper committees.
When tho house joint resolution offer
ed by Elmore of Linn fo. ratifying
tha prohibition amendment to the Unit
ed States constitution, a motion to lay
it on the table was carried. It seemed
that the members of tho house were
waiting to hear just what the govern
or would oay in his inaiiguial address
on. the. subject and for that reason no
action was taken on the prohibition
amendment.
A bill presented by Kubli of Port
land that may attract eono attention
provided for exemption from taxation,
money, notos and accounts in addition
to tho usual tax exemptions Another
that may call forth some debate was
the resolution of Mr. Kubu relative
to tho taxation of machinery and oth
er merchandise in which the opinion
of an expert is required to rurm a
proper estimate of vtfue. .
Hous bills have so far been offered
are as follows: '
N0 l By Mr. Kubli. Detining the
crime of criminal syndicalism and pro
scribing punishment therefoi.
No. 2. By Mr. Scheubol. Providing
for board of conciliation and arbitra
tion. No. 3 By Mr. Scheubel. Relating to
the ownerslitp of lands in the state of
Oregon by alions.
No. 4 By Mr. Lowis. Providing for
annexation of territory and cities or
towns. .
No. &By Mr. Lewis. Making it un
lawful to construct -any dam or dike or
causeway over, across or in any navi
gable water of the state
No. 6 'By Mr. Lowis. Giviug any
city or town certain territorial juris
diction and authority.
Ko, 7 ,jy Mr. Lewis, Amending sec
tion 28, Lord's Oregon Laws, relating
to assignments.
No. 8 By Mr. Weeks. Regulating
.fpncintf agninst otock whore prohibited
from running at large.
No 9 "By Mr. Coffee. Appropriating
money to complete building at Chain
poeg. -
jlo. 10 By Mr. Coffoy. Rilating to
the exchange of bonds by the state.
No. 11 By Mr. Coffey. Providing
for the advortisoment of sale of school
district bonds.
The following house resolutions have
been offered:
No. 1 By Mr. Sheldon. Supplying
members-.with eodo and session laws,
etc.
No. S By Mr. Haines. Providing
mem-berg and chief elerk with stamps,
wrappers and newspapers.
No. 3 By Mr. Sheldon. That news
papers 1e turned over to H. T. G-oodin
of the state board ef control for dis
tribution to tate institutions. .
- jfo. 4 'By Mn Bdwards. Relating t
invitations to minister to offer prayer-at
opening sessions. -
jl0- 5By Mr. Idleman. FXtendisf
courtesies of the house to representa
tives of the prens.
Only one house joint resolution has
been offered and it is aa follows: ,
, No. 1 B Mr. E more. Ratifying pro
hibition amendment to United States
constitution. This was referred to the
committee on resolution ana when call
ed up this morning was laid on the ta
ble for early actios.
Another result of peace is in thinning
out the ranks of the newsbays. 1
We won't feel so badly imposed upon
when the days i"ittlien out so that the
street lights will have been turned off
before wo get to work. -
one to -ten year by Judgo Stapletoa
who denied as appeal for a paroled
sentence yesterday afternoon. .
TODAY'S
IS OPPOSED TO nE
Public Service Commission Re-
:. plies T McAdoo's Gt?ern
',,4Tmeat Control Phi.
"We are vopposed to the fiva year
plan now urged before congress for
the reason that industries and short
line road of this state eannot ndurc
a continuation of the extreme handicap
under which they have yatriotically
endeavored te operate -during federal
control"
la this language the public service
commission went on record in opposi
tion to MoAdoo plan for jiving gov
ernment control of the railroads a trial
of fivo year under peaee conditions,
in lengthy telegram sent last night
to Charlos E. Elmquist, who 'had re
quested an expression of the commis
sion's attitude for use before the sen
ate committee having the matter un
der consideration. The commission's
ropjy says further:
"Shipper cannot continue paying a
greater proportionate increase in rates
than that of their competitors of more
favorablo locations when they all reach
the same competitive mat ket in the
east.- Railroad officials, under what
ever title they may act, being clothed
with federal authority witli- rwponsi
bilities, approaching obligations, to
,the roads which they formerly repre
sented, -cannot fairly and equitably at
the same time act as original arbiters
and judges in. controversies that cbn
stantly arise as. 'betwoen shirpors and
railroads, and it will continue to resul!
in more "or less confusion and delay,
unfairness- to shippers and unsatisfac
tory service to the goncral public. The
undetermined legal aspect of the state
jurisdiction coupled with tho uncertain
ties of redress, force the opinion that
any extension of the period of federal
control as at present constituted is a
disadvantage for the people in general
throughout the west, and very inadvis
able. .
"Consideration should ba given to
(Oontinueik'gn page two)
ALLIES DEVELOPING
C0N6ILIAT0RYSPIRIT
Clemenccau Has Reasonable
Attitude Toward Territor
ial Ambitions.
(United Press staff correspondent)
Paris, Jan. 13. The allies are de
veloping a spirit of conciliation of sev
eral matters that have loomed as pos
sible stumbling blocks, it was learned
from authoritative sources today.
This was srid to he particularly true
of French and Italian territorial
claims.
Premier Clemeneean, for Iniianee,
was reported as presenting a reason
able attitude toward territorial ambi
tions. He is not urging France's claim
to the Saar valley and is insisting only
on some method of guaranteeing the
ssfcty of French frontiers. Neither is
he pushing the expected demand for
control of all Syria. Insteod, French
claims in this quarter aro extremely
mild.
. Italy's claims regarding Dalmatia
are receiving little sympathy and it is
i believed she is eoming around to ths
! point of view of the other conferees.
who are making clear that she will not
receive certain territories for which
i some elements in Italy are clamoring,
Some other solution of Italy's prob
lems regarding security of the Adrtatio
is certain to be achieved.
I m i
; " ABE EIAM1
School teachers must feel cheap
when they read about people gittin '
paid double time fer overtime. It
used t' be "Hunt "What!" "What'd
ye'sayt" but aow it's "Beg pardon!"
yell fir TM
SQIATOHS MIT
AFRAID OF "FLU"
HERE HT SALEM
They Ycted To Accept Offer
From Health Board For In-
noculatioa, However.
SENATOR PIERCE DBNT
WANT IT COMiLSORY
Hrst Resoktiaa Provided For
kht Committee On
Consolidations.
Dr. A. O. Seeley, state health officer,
has notified the senate to have all mem
bora ready for vaccination tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock. He will be
ready with a largo quantity of antl-flo
Members of tho legislature will bo
just as safo from flu in Salem ts any
place else, declared Sonator W. D. Wood
a practicing physician of Washington
county, this morning when the question
of accepting the offer of 'the stato
hoalth board to Inoculate the members
of the lcgislcture with anti-flu serum
was bcfoio the senate.
The senate voted unanimously to ac
cept the offer from the health bosrd,
which was transmitted in the form of
a telegram from Dr. A. C. Soeley, act
ing state health officer, to Secretary
of Stato Olcott.
Honntor Smith of Coos suggested that
tho fluo serum bo tried on the dosk
clerks nnd newspnper roportors Hrst
and if it did not kill them the senator's
would try it.
"In all seriousness," said Soimtoi
Wood, " I think this offer of' the state
health botrd -should -4 accepted. It is
nil right for our good Christian Science
friends to mako jokes of it, but it will
ho a good idea to inoculate them. Tho
medical profession dpes not claim that
inoculation will prevent the influonna,
but it will modify tho disease and mtko
it easier to throw it off."
Senator Tierce objected to making
tho inoculation compulsory ,and it. was
decided to lecvo the mutter to tho in
dividual choice ef tho members, but the
stato health officer will be invited to
come to the cnpitol and vaccination will
bo in vogue.
Senator Mnser introduced a memorial
to the United States sonnte, urging im
mediate fnvornblo action on the pend
ing equal suffrage amendment to the
federal constitution. The rules were
suspended and tho memorial was adopt
ed and sent over to the house.
Senate bill 242. passed by tho 1917
session and vetoed by the governor aft
er the last legislature had adjourned,
was reported to the senate by the Br
rotary of state, and was referred t
the committee on counties. Tho bill pro
vides for nn increase in tho gclarlcs of
county officials of Ilood Eivef county.
It is the mly senate bill which was ve
toed by tho governor after tho cIobo of
the last session,
After two 0r three tie voteg and con
siderable discussion in humorous vein,
tho senate adopted a resolution intro
duced by Senator Pierce putting a ban
on smoking while tho sonn-to is in ses
sion. A motion was made to indefinitely
nnptnonn the resolution and the vote
stood 15 to 13. Then Senator Pierce
moved to consider tho resolution at once
Again the vote was a tie. Senator Mo
Iser moved to adjourn until 2 o'clock,
'nn.l Rjttintrip I'ierpn tnnvwl In e.irifinH
by providing for n adjournment of 15
minues. in order to give tho resolutions
committee time to report on the reso
lution. By a majority of one the amend
mont carried.
During the short recess tho opponents
of the resolution withdrew their oppo
sition and when the committee turned
in a favorable report it was adopted
unanimously.
The first resolution introduced in the
senate, when it took op the first ordi:r
of business following completion of per
manent organization, was presenter ey '
Senator W., A. Dimick of Clackamas I
and provided for a joint committee on 1
eonso'idations. . . The committee is to .
have three senators and three repre
sentatives s i'a members.
The second resolution Introduced it
this snfsion was presented by Senator
B. li. Kddy ef Roseburg and provided
for the ratification of the national pro
hibition amendment to the federal con
stitution. Senator Eddy had noped to
have his resolution the first matter of
business to come before the senate, but
Dimick was ahead of him.
These two resolutions were followed
by the usual resolutions providing for
a committee to revise the calendar, for
stenographers and clerks nt 15 day,
for postage and sets of law books.
Senator Dimick introduced a resolu-
tioa providing thot no overtime should
be paid to the clerks and stenographers
while another resolution extends an. In
vitation to the Salem ministers to ar-
(Continued on page two)
GOVERNOR WITHYCOMBE
GIVES BIENNIAL MESSAGE
"Question Of Land Settlement Especially As It Affects
Returning Soldiers And Sailors Is Probably Most Im
portant Problem Confronting People Of Oregon," He
Says Invites Examination Of State Prison.
The text of Governor Withycombe's
bi-ennial message, follows: -To
ths members of the Thirtieth Ore
gon Legislative Assembly:
In extending a warm greeting to yoa
all, I ean assure ynn that I approach
this pleasant opportunity with a full
heart aad with a candid desire for
wholesome eo-operation.
Situation Without Precedent.
It is your responsibility to lay the
foundation for ,a partnership between
state end nation in the .natter of re
arranging public affain and ins it
lions to meet a situation that has
borno no parallel sines the birth of
this commonwealth. Til many cf the
orous quosri m.. which w'll be put for
ward during the next forty days, you
will have no precedents to guido you.
Thougn living in the prcsont day and
paiticipatiug in contemporary events
you will, Is a certain poi'tive sense,
be pioneer, and you will, therefore, bo
ob'iped to face your work eoi.rngeously
end with u vwion that crries yoa
above partisanship and beyond the re
stricted limits of sectional antagonism
and personal ambition. I have no hesi
tation in expressing full confidence in
your integrity, honesty of purpose, wis
dom and farsightedness.
Vision Is Needed.
This message was prepared in har
mony with cuBtom and in accordance
with my constitutional duty as chief
executive of this state. It will deal
only with those matters which appear
to me, after retrospection of a foul
years' administration, as affecting the
best interests of tho whole state nt a
time when many largo developments
aro in tho process of incubation. Le!
us endeavor to look ahead with a vision
that will dotoct all possibilities, mob
ilizing our best thoughts and onergies
in the hope ot rendering the rnaxirmira
degree of service,-' As architects .plan
ning for tho future through legisla
tive enactments it is your task to
draw up such specifications as will
represent the true sentiment of Oregon
citizenship.
Patriotic Record,
It is not necessary for mo to j-emind
you of Oregon's preeminent patriotic
record and of the importance of pre
serving hor prestige by reconstruction
itigiBimiun lUKi yvlu ring; iruu iu uuv
Oregon standard of excellence. Surely
no living Oreg-onian worthy of tho
name can bo unconscious of undo in the
past and ambition for the future.
Oregon, blessed with generous, pat-
riotic people, contributed far more than
her Tiroportinnate share to the great
trinity of war necessities men, money!
and materials She responded with nlac-j
rity to every call for patriotic endeavor
and time after time was firBt of all
states is support of tho country 'sj
cause.
It will never bo said of Oregon that
she thought more highly of her doll
lars than of the destiny of her noblest
sons. Therefore, every effort possible
will be made to provide proper care
for the boys returning from the ser
vice. This general subject should not be
aproaehed in a spirit of common char
ity. It does not involve charity but
rather duty and debt.
Land Settlement Problems.
Probably tho most important prob
lem confronting the people of Oregon
today is tho question of land settle
ment, especially as It affects the re
turning soldiers and sailors who are
entitled to every encouragomen' as th jy
rotins to, civil life. Whatever plan may
be sdopted by this legislature must
offer something tangible and must be
practical. Fortunately you have an op
portunity to dovelop Oregon on a busi
nesslike basis at the same time you
sre furnishing assistance to returning
serviee men snd to eitinens generally.
There are four phases of land set
tlement work to be considered: the
clearing of logged-off lands, the reclam
ation of Irrigated lands, the drainage
of swamp lands, and tho subdivision of
farms in fcnmid sections.
Coagress will undoubtedly make some
provision for federal assistance in this
work, but it will probably be condi
tional upon state cooperation. This will,
of course, involve a new system of fin
ancing. Under our present six per eent
limitation there is only one way, as t
lew it, that we could undertake, this
enterprise, and that would be tnrongn
a rational bonding system which would
meet with the approval of the elector
ate of the state.
: Wa 'have approximately 3,000,00o
acres ef privately owned logged-off
land (a Oregon, much of it being ex
cellent agricultural soil- This land
should bs purchased by the federal gov
ernment or the state, divided into or?
ganisutd districts, improved and allot
ted ia units to prospective sottlere;
These settlers should be required to
make a reasonable initial payment and
to meet the unpaid balance on long
term installments at a low rate of in:
terest following the amortization plan
Oregon logged-off lend will cost about
100.00 per acre to be cleared. This
would offor a splendid field for eo-oocr-
ative work between tho federal and
state governments. Large numbers of
men could be employeu to clear the
land nnder modern methods and part
of their earnings retained as partial
payment for eleared land.
Since the logged-off lands are w
owned by private individuals,. it might
bs yoasible for the federal govern
ment to acquire the stump land by ex
changing timber in ths forest reserve
n an equitable basis to be determined
betwoen the government officials and
the owners of the logged-off lands. The
federal government has about 14,000,000
acres of timber land in the Oregon for
est Teecrve and much of this timber is
bow ready for the market.
Irrigation projects should also be di
rected, the land subdivided into units
and the same system of financial aid
followed in establishing the farms and
herds and erecting the necessary build
ings, including a modern inexpensive
home. A similar plan could be fi.llowd
in the drainage of swamp lands.
Present Commission Honorary.
Oregon has undertaken tho subdiv
ision of farms in a voluntary wsy
through the services of the honorary
Oregon land settlement commission,
which was appointed by me a year ago.
I suggest that this commission ba made
permanent by -proper statutory enact
ment and furnished funds to work with.
The administration of tho work in
irrigated sections should be left with
the desert land board, but the work of
subdividing, the fiirms nnd tho setting
of tho logged-off lands as well as the
drainage districts should, I believe, bo
under the administration of the Oregon
land settlement commission.
The natural aptitude of the pros
pective settler and his experience in
farm work must be eonsidored con
stantly in a study of this question, for,
in developing any farm unit, iuuu will
depend upon tho occupant himself, par
ticularly his desiro to develop tho prop
erty and his application to the work.
Fof this reason great care should be
excreised in selecting as settlers only
practical farmers or those , who show
likoly promise of developing into suc
cessful farmers. .
Tho legislative, committees formulat
ing land settlement 'legislation- will, no
doubt; derive consWerablo profit from
u careful study cf "The Soldier Set
tlement Act," suggested by Secretary
of tho Intorior Lune and from confer
ence with members of the Oregon land
sottlimont commission, who hii-ve givon
the buliject much constructive thought,
aud who have placed Oregon at the
forefront of the nation in this import
ant work.
Eotnrrlng Soldiers.
' Machinory must be sot officially iu
motion to pluce aveilnble positions at
tho dispofts-1 oif returning service men
and, in thi connection, 1 commend to
your legislative generosity the sugges
tion that preferential rights bo grant
ed them in contracts of employment
on public work, such as highway con
struction! A stato executive committee
appointed by me some weeks since to
arrange a proper reception for return
ing fighters is preparing a census of
evnilublo positions and doubtless a rea
sonable appropriation Will be asked to
financo its worthy endeavors.
I feel that stops should be taken
toward the compilation of a reliable,
permanent history of Oregon's partic
ipation in the world war so that the
achievements of our boys can be pro-s.-rved
to posterity. The state librar
ian, having been appointed by tho coun
cil of defense as stuto war historian,
has undertaken this woik on a compre
hensive and thoroughly practical plan.
I suggest that a suitable appropriation
be set uitido for this eommcndablo pur
pose. There will be other ways of hon
oring and perpetuating the memory and
deeds of the Oregon soldiers
ors and no doubt this legislature will
exercise the pleeoant duty of determin
ing upon an official state memorial,
Absenteo Voting. t
In my last message, addressed to the
1917 legislative assembly, 1 urged tha
adoption, of legislation extending tha
electoral franchise to soldiers who may..
be. absent from the state while engag-.
d in the serviee of their sountry. i'or .
ouvious reasons is r-
to amend our primary and election laws
so that men serving In a foreign land
could cost their ballot under all eir-1-cumstnnccs,
but in- fairness to the men,
consideration should at least be given a
system of direct mail voting that would
not Jnteriere wnn nuumrj .
Surely these men, though temporarily "
absent from nome, are as mucn- civ.
as ever, and the very reason for their
absence makes our obligation toward
them the stronger. Soldiers on aetiva
duty ere also entitled to their other
civil rights and -to protection in tha
form of moratorium for a reasonable
time after their return. ,
Treason. .
. It is not generally understood by the
people of this state that there Is now
no penalty in Oregon for treason. Be
fore tbo abolition of capital punish
ment conviction of this erime brought
rb death penftl'T Dut cdilT tke'a
would be no way to enforce that sea-
(Continued on page three)