The Billings gazette. [volume], October 22, 1909, Page 2, Image 2

About The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919

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Merely the Western Way
HE great exposition which has just closed its gates upon the
T shores of Puget Sound, stands unique in the history of
world's fairs in that there is no deficit to annoy its promoters
and no creditors clamoring for their money. Probably for the first
time in history, such an enterprise has been entirely successful, not
only in point of exhibits and attractions for the multitude, but from
the standpoint of dollars and cents.
There is something significant in this success which has been
achieved by the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition. it not only dem
onstrates the fact that western people are in the habit of doing all
things well, but it also goes to show the tremendous amount of inter
est which is being taken in all things western, by the people of the
country.
During the time of the exposition all records for transcontinental
passenger traffic were broken by each of the railway systems which
reach the great northwest. The railroads inaugurated a train service
which was little less than marvelous in its thoroughness, and the im
mense throngs were carried from the far east to the sound, speedily
and with the minimum of discomfort. That this was done was also
a tribute to the way things are done in the West as well as creditable
to the railroads themselves.
There is something.in the large way in which the west approaches
any task on hand that makes for a success upon a corresponding scale.
Large initial expense does not frighten the western man for with his
breadth of view he is able to see that to do big things it is necessary
to lay a broad foundation-to build generously in order to obtain
generous results. That is what was done by the managers of the
Seattle exposition, and that is why the fair was so decided a success,
both as an amusement enterprise and from the financial standpoint.
The country has begun to realize that the west is no longer a
region of stockmen and miners who, while possessing the wealth in
the rough, must look to the East for the initiative in everything re
lating to either art or enterprise. More and more the fact is being
recognized that the west not only is a wonderful land of undeveloped
resouces, but that it is also a land which knows and admires the
best in art, in the sciences and in all that goes to make up a high
grade of civilization, and that it possesses the enterprise and the push
to get that which it wants That is the reason why a great exposition
can be pulled off upon the shores of the Pacific; and that is why the
eyes of the country are now directed toward the great region lying
west of the Missouri, seeking to discern the upbuilding of a magnifi
cent empire which will assist the common country in achieving its
destiny.
There is something significant in the
Numerous frequency with which communities lodge
complaints with the interstate commerce
Complaints commission against the railroads, and com
Cnt ,ing as they do from points so far remote
from each other, it is not to be supposed
that the complaints come from a few
cranks who "have it in" for the railroads.
Denver, Salt Lake, Spokane and several of the coast towns all
took a hand at compelling the interstate commerce commision to earn
its salary but now comes the Southwestern Shippers' association. em
bracing within its membership the leading shippers of Texas, Colo
rado, Oklahoma and Kansas, with the declaration that they are being
discriminated against by the railroads.
To be sure there has been in times past, a great deal of "corpora
tion baiting" in the country, but there is no indication that there is
anything of this sort behind the action being taken by shippers in
widely separated sections of the country. The indications are that some
communities have been fostered at the expense of others, because it
suited the purpose of the transportation companies to so do, and if
this is so, then it is certain that the awakening that has taken place
among shippers and communities will result, within a very few years,
in such things as discrimination or unjust transportation charges
being renflered impossible. Either this, or the railroads will awaken
some day to the fact that the sentiment of the people will have become
so strong that governmental regulations which would seriously ham
per the operation of the roads will be inevitable.
Alarmists had been telling us that the approach of President
Diaz to the northern limits of his country would be the signal for
disorders which might even arise to the dignity of revolution; and
that President Taft would be in danger of his life should he approach
the Mexican border. President Taft made his memorable journey
only to receive the acclamation of his loyal people; President Taft
found only cordial and heart-felt welcomes. After all, it takes more
than a few alarmists to disturb the serenity of the people.
Our English friends are now intimating that an English expe
dition discovered the pole, and that both Cook and Peary raced back
to civilization in order to put in the first claims. The general public.
after reading the charges and countercharges made by the two Amer
ican explorers is beginning to believe that the entire bunch is "four
flushing."
From the frequency with which one hears of anti-Spanish riots
in Berlin it would be suspected that the land of the kaiser has its
weather eye upon the kingdom of Alfonso, and it would not be strange
should we hear of German intervention in Spain. When it comes to
'gmrbbing" Unser Wilhelm is not so very slow.
New York now has another scandal in high life. one of its mril
lionairesses endeavoring to prove that her coachman husband was
so naughty as to qualify him for entrance into the smnart set.
Importance Not Realized l
HERE NEVER has been any doubt of the importance of the
Dry Farming congress or what it would mean to eastern
Montana in general and Billings in particular, but when that
bunch of Billings boosters went down to Cheyenne to secure the next
meeting of the congress not a single one of them realized just how
big a thing the congress would prove to be.
The Cheyenne congress was an important gathering and despite
the inclement weather which prevailed in the Wyoming metropolis
during the sessions, it was a large gathering, but in point of import
ance to the dry lands of the country and of magnitude of the congress
itself, the Cheyenne gathering will be far outclassed by the one in
Billings.
Advices from not only the so-called semi-arid regions but from
such states as Illinois, Missouri and Iowa are to the effect that the
farmers are doing a whole lot of thinking along the lines of- scientific
soil culture. Despite the fact that they live in a region which, to us,
is one of excessive rainfall, they frequently have seen the rains come
at the wrong time, and they have stood by and seen their crops burned
up by the fierce summer sun. The dry farming propaganda has
drawn attention to the fact that through the conservation of moisture,
droughts can be avoided. If this is so in a region of deficient precipi
tation, they argued, why not in a region which has water and to
spare? The conservation of moisture, which is the basic principle of
I dry farming, appeared to the intelligent farmers of the central regions
- consequently they will be well represented at the Billings congress.
Western Canada has practically the same problems to face as has
Montana, and western Canada will be sctrongly represented by not
I only strong delegations but by admirable exhibits of the products of
ý its dry farms. The Canadian exhibit will be a powerful argument in
e favor of dry farming and out of this display ought to come a vast
amount of good not only to the dry lands of the world but to the
V people of regions where there is a succession of rains and droughts.
o There is every reason to expect that the congress will be fully
e twice as large as have been any of its predecessors, and vastly more
interesting and instructive because of the fact that many things
which were in the experimental stage a year or two ago, and which
were then hardly beyond the range of theory, are today demonstrated
i facts. Ideas have been worked out and at the great Billings gathering,
y the world will be given the benefit of the researches and experiments
n cf intelligent and earnest men.
ie The West fully realizes the importance of the movement and if
s will be generously represented at the congress. It is safe to say that
everybody not only in Montana but throughout the West, will either
a come to Billings, or will closely watch the published reports of the
n Fourth Dry Farming congress.
g Professor Johnson has demonstrated the fact that he was a much
d more accomplished man than was Professor Ketchel, and now the
1e funny men of the country who were pleased to refer to the dusky
h Australian as a "dark-colored noise" will begin to wonder just what
h Col. Jeffries is doomed to go up against.
le It has been found that Willie Boy, the Indian desperado of
g Nevada, has committed suicide. Oklahoma has not yet arisen to re
i- port that Crazy Snake also has taken to the long, dark trail.
Census Mortality Statistics
WASHINGTON, D. C., Oct. 14.-U.
S. Census Director E. Dana Durand,
today promulgated new rules and in
structions for the purpose of securing
more complete and accurate trans
cripts of deaths occurring in the se
lected death registration states and
cities of the United States. These
transcripts are obtained every month
by the census bureau from nearly all
of the city and state registrars in the
census death registration area and
they form the basis of mortality sta
tistics prepared by the division of vi
tal statistics, under Chief Statistician
Dr. Cressy L. Wilbur.
This action is expected to result in
the presentation of the most scientific
and trustworthy mortality statistics
ever compiled in connection with a
decennial U. S. census, which affords
the population bases for the 1910
death rates. In addition to this im
portant step toward more reliable
data, the new revised version of the
classification of the causes of death,
as adopted at the Paris conference for
the second decennial revision of the
international classification, will go
into effect January 1 next in the cen
sus registration area. Supplementing
these will be the use of the new Unit
ed States standard death certificates
which it is believed the organized reg
istration officials forming the vital
statistics section of the American
Public Health association will adopt
for the report of deaths commencing
January 1 next, at the Richmond, Va.,
meeting, October 19-22, next.
In his communication to the state
registrars, Director Durand states
that in their work of co-operation it is
of the greatest importance that there
should be exact agreement between
the number of deaths as compiled by
the state officers and by the census
bureau, at least with respect to the
total number of deaths reported for
each month in each state, county and
city. Differences occur at present
which are not creditable to American
statistics. For the purpose of pre
venting such differences, a monthly
shipment check list, showing the
deaths by months and areas, has been
prepared and will be supplied to each
state registrar.
He asks transcribers to follow abso
lutely the instructions for copying and
advises tests to ascertain correctness.
Permanent transcribers are preferred
because of the skill acquired. Local
registrars should be compelled to
make returns on time. No effective
registration can exist when the cen
tral office permits tardiness. The
credit of the state service must suf
fer, the director states, from heed
less and incompetent work, and the
compensation paid for the returns is
sufficient to entitle the government to
thoroughly reliable transcripts,
promptly transmitted, and containing
all of the statistical data required to
be registered under the state law.
To the city registrars the director
suggests they note the instructions to
state registrars. He states that a city
registrar should have in his hands the
certificate of every death that occurs,
with absolutely no exception, before
any disposition is made of the body;
hence there should be no occasion for
certiflactes filed many days after the
close of each month or year. The
corrections should be obtained before
the burial or removal permit is issued.
No imperfect certificates or unsatis
factory statements of cause of death
should be accepted. When overlooked,
however, they may be corrected read
ily by special blank or telephone, and
city returns should therefore be su
perior in quality and completeness.
In conclusion the director states
that with the cordial co-operation of
state and city registration officials,
the value of the mortality statistics of
the United States will be greatly im
proved. It is especially requested that
every effort be made to carry out
faithfully the recommendations for
the remaining months of the present
year, so that the entire returns for
the year 1910, which are especially
important because of the comparisons
possible with the population data of
the thirteenth census, may be in com
plete agreement for all of the states
and cities of the United States. Spe
cial circulars of instructions will be
issued relative to the reporting of oc
cupations and causes of death. It is
hoped that the new standard certifi
cate, and the approved instructions,
may be adopted by all of the registra
tion states and cities, so that thor
oughly comparable returns may be
instituted for the decade beginning
January 1. 1910.
Dr. Wilbur, who was one of the
American delegates at the second de
cennial revision, stated to day that the
opportunity of starting out with the
use of the revised classification for
the mortality statistics relating to the
actual census year, is of the greatest
value. It is highly gratifying, he said,
that the wishes of the United States
for the advancement of the date of the
international revision from 1910 to
1909 were acceded to by the French
government and the othed countries
participating.
In accordance with a resolution of
the international commission an offi
cial version of the revised titles is to
be prepared in each language repre
sented. The English translation has
been made by Dr. Wilbur, aided by the
other American delegates and by Hon.
G. W. Knibbs, commonwealth statisti
clan of Australia. This will provide
precisely the same tabular list for all
English-speaking countries that have
UNIVERSITY Of COPENHAGEN REFUSES
TO WAIVE CLAIM TO COOK'S RECORDS
Will Hold Explorer to His Promise--Records Will Be Sent
Possibly Within Month-Commander Peary Sub
mits Proofs to Geographical Body
COPENHAGEN, Oct. 20.-The. Uni- Tn
versity of Copenhagen has de- Si
clined to forgoe its privilege ti
to the first examination of the north it
pole records of Dr. Cook. The author-I o
ities of the university today cabled to n
the National Geographic society at S
Washington as folows:
"Sorry, university not able to comply U
with your request."
Dr. Cook had promised to first sub- o
mit his records to the faculty of the a
University at Copenhagen, but on Oc- r
tober 15 the university was requested c
to waive its claim in favor of the Nat
ional Geographic society, which sought c
an early determination of the contro
versy which has arisen as the result
of Commander Peary's charges that
Dr. Cook did not discover the north
pole.
Rector Torp, of the University of
Copenhagen, today cabled to Dr. Cook
the folowing message:
"When will you be able to send the
original observations and instru
ments?"
Will Prepare Records.
TOLEDO, O., Oct. 20.-Dr. Freder
ick A. Cook said today that he will
be ready to submit proofs to the dis
covery of the north pole to the Univer
sity of Copenhagen within two months t
or possibly within a month. He will
begin work upon his documents on his
return to New York imediately after
the close of his lecture tour at Min
neapolis, next Monday.
HAS PEARY'S RECORDS.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.--Comman
der Robert E. Peary's proofs, records
and observations that he reached the i
their investigation of the Peary data.
ORDER WILL ENTER
THE COAST STATES
Captain Pease of Mountaineers Writes
from Seattle That He Has Been
Successful in Work.
From Wednesday's Daily.
According to a letter received yes
terday at the head office of the Fra
ternal Order of Mountaineers situat
ed in this city, Capt. E. S. Pease, the
head of the order, who has gone to the
coast with the expectation of obtain
ing charters which will enable the
order to form organizations in the
coast states, has been very success
ful in his work and is now practically
assurred that the Mountaineers can
branch out in their work along the
Pacific coast.
Captain Pease writes that he has
had little difficulty in obtaining char
ters to operate and write insurance
in Washington and Oregon and that
he expects to be equally as successful
in California. All that now remains
before charters from the first two
mentioned states are granted, is the
filling out of a few blanks and the
submitting of some minor reports. The
insurance experts of Washington and
Oregon have passed upon the insur
ance plan of the Mountaineers and
have pronounced it to be sound.
Captain and Mrs. Pease expect to
spend the next month in California,
returning to this city late in Novem
ber. The order was recently granted
a charter to work in Utah and before
returning to Billings Captain Pease
will organize the work in that state.
Later applications for charters will
be made to Nevada and Idaho.
To Bring Evidence A
Against Lt. Peary
Man Who Lived Many Years Among
Eskimos to Sumbit Report
Favorable to Cook.
COPENHAGEN, Oct. 19.-The father
of Knud Rasmussen has received a
letter from his son who lived for
many years among the Eskimos and
speaks the language perfectly. In
the letter, M. Rasmussen says he will
arrive at Copenhagen from Greenland
on November 1, bringing conclusive
evidence in favor of Dr. Cook against
Commander Peary.
Hans Ryun, Paul Flike and Chris
Thompson, business men of Belmont,
Mont., are in the city looking after
business matters.
Sadopted the international classifica
Stion.
The active interest of the United
SStates in the promotion of interna
tional uniformity was accorded a very
Sgraceful recognition in the bestowing
Sof the vice presidency of the interna
>tional commission upon Dr. Wilbur,
Iwho was called upon to preside over
Sone of the sessions.
The next revision will be called in
f1919 and under the auspices of the
- French government, unless other pro
Svision is made. Dr. Wilbur said it is
- to be hoped, however, in view of the
Sgreat advancement of American vital
astatistics and the important part this
country has played in the extension of
- the international classification, that
a the third decennial revision will be
I called by the American government to
a meet at Washington.
north pole, April 6, 1909, were today
submitted to the National Geographic
society. The board of managers of
that body referred them for exam
ination and report to a sub-committee
of experts consisting of Henry Gan
nett, chief geographer of the United
States geological survey; Rear Admi
ral Colby M. Chester, U. S. N., and O.
H. Titman, superintendent of the
United States coast and geodetic sur
vey. The society announced that the
only question it now had to decide
was whether Commander Peary had
reached the north pole on the date
claimed.
The experts designated by the so
ciety will hold their first meeting
within a few days and inaugurate
Firm Prices Still
Prevail in Boston
Scant Supply of Commodity Tends to
Bolster Prices In Hub
City.
BOSTON, Oct. 19.-Fair sized busi
ness, for firm prices, still obtained in
the local wool market although ship
ments to the mills are very heavy, in
dicating increased production. Buy
ing locally is confined to small mills
with comparatively little wool avail
able.
Scoured values:
Texas-Fine, 12 months, 75@78;
fine, 6 to 8 months, 68%70c; fine fall,
58@60c.
California-Northern, 68@70c; mid
dle county, 63@65c; fall flee, 50@52.
Oregon-Eastern staple No. 1, 78@
80c; eastern clothing, 78@72c; valley
No. 1, 57@58c.
Territory-Fine staple, 77@80c;
fine medium staple, 70@72c; fine
clothing, 70@72c; fine medium cloth
ing, 67@68c; half blood, 73%@76c;
three eigfhths blood, 68@70; quarter
blood, 67@68c.
Pulled-Extra, 72%75c; fine "A" 57
@60c; "A" supers, 60%64c.
Sheep-Receipts, 4,700. Strong:
Yearlings, $4.75@5.30; wethers, $3.90
@4.60; lambs, $6.30@6.90.
COfIE TO
BILLINGS
W E HAVE a bargain for you at the
right price and on easy terms.
Things are moving again, more sales in
the past ten days than in six months be
fore. T his means an advance in values
very soon and you cannot afford to de
lay. Let us sell you some town lots,
acre tracts, a home, business building
or a farm. We are buying and selling
real estate for everybody all the time,
adding value to your property and would
like to have your business. Come in.
NORTH I COMPANY
Opposite Court House Billings, Montana
THE GEISER STEAM PLOW
A. KUNK[I, General Agent, 1116 Ide Avenue, Spokane, Washington
You can see this Plow now at work on F. W. Shauer
ranch, three miles west of Laurel
Local Representative, G. W. MORRISON
Office at Yegen Bros.' Implement Store P. O. Box 881
They will personally examine the
notebooks and observations made by
Commander Peary on his march to
the pole and will see all papers
brought back by him from the frigid
north. The wide scope of the ques
tion renders' it probable that the sub
committee will not report its find
ings for several months, but when
ready, the report will be submitted
to a meeting of the board of managers
of the society, especially called for
that purpose.
While the meeting was in progress
and shortly after the submission of
the Peary data, a messenger brought
a cablegram from the University of
Copenhagen in reply to the society's
request that the institution ,waive its
first claims to Dr. Cook's records.
Prof. Willis L. Moore, president of
the National Geographic society, de
claired to the board meeting that the
society believed that Commander
Peary's claim that he reached the
pole should be passed on without fur
ther delay.
"The society is ready to make sim
ilar examination of Dr. Cook's orig
inal observations and field notes,"
said President Moore, "but as he
promised to send them to the Univer
sity of Copenhagen and the society
will not have an opportunity of seeing
them for probably some months, it
did not seem fair to defer action on
Commander Peary's observations un
til Dr. Cook's were received.
"The action of the society was taken
in accordance with the by-laws.
"The committee on research shall
be charged with the consideration of
all matters of scientific and technical
geography, including exploration
which may be brought before the so
ciety or which may originate in the
committee and shall report thereon
to the board of managers for action."
The society had previously urged
Commander Peary and Dr. Cook to
submit their observations to a compe
tent scientific commission in the
United States.
The society joined in a request from
the American Museum of Natural His
tory, New York, and the American
Geographical society to President
Remsen, that he, as president of the
National Academy of Science, appoint
a commission to pass upon the rec
ords of both explorers.