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4 WHITESIDES COMING WITH SENSATIONAL TREAT All Theaters Have Strong Bill for the Holidays MISS BAGEARD TRAILS SKIRT AND IS PROUD Heretofore Popular Actress Appeared in Short Dresses; Vaudeville Offerings Better Than Usual Well informed persons who- follow plays and the stagefolk through the medium of magazines and periodicals will welcome the advent at the Cort theater of Walker Whiteside, esteemed the best of American actors, in his sensationally successful play. "The Typhoon." The engagement is for two weeks, beginning next Sunday evening, with matinees Christmas and New Year days and Saturday. Whiteside last appeared here in "The Melting Pot." Zangwill's heavy preach ment, to which this fine actor gave vitality through his wonderfully ef fective impersonation of the dreamy, poetic Jew. In "The Typhoon" Whiteside appears as Tokeramo, a young Japanese diplo mat, who has been intrusted by the mikado with a secret mission of grave Importance in Berlin. In this new and singular .character. It is declared by well informed critical writers, Whiteside has given to the stage an impersonation that will live in annals of play lore as long as the Baron Chevrlal of Mansfield or the Rip Van Winkle of Joseph Jefferson. The play particularly is interesting to people of this coast. It deals with the activities of the modern Japanese and their love of country. Whiteside has selected his company with great care, and has provided a scenic setting of beauty and solidity. Miss Florence Fisher is his leading woman. Jeanneete Bageard, who is playing the cynical countess in "The Rose Maid" at the Columbia, is for the first time in her history trailing across the stage in dresses that actually will sweep haughtily. Always before she has reveled in saucy skirts and twin kling, sllden clad ankles. Hers was an important figure in "The Prince of Pilsen," in which, by the way, Henry Coote, who is again a fellow player w4th Miss Bageard, created the title role for Henry W. Savage. She cre ated the role of the French maid in "In Gay New York." She proved that she pould dance like an impish fairy In "The Merry Widow" when America saw it first at the New Amsterdam theater in New York. She also created the part of the leading feminine char acter in "The Girl in the Taxi." Her family name is familiar to the older generation in opera, for her mother, the first of a family connected with the stage for six generations, to come to America, was the celebrated Marie Bageard. prima donna of many of the important offerings at the Metro politan Grand Opera house of New York when it was under the manage ment of Abbey, Schoeffel & Grau. The little Jeannette remained in France until she was 14 years old, and since* then has been almost constantly before the American public. Her name Is on the list kept by every Important producing theatrical manager compris ing those players who are ideal for what they designate as "type parts." Evelyn Vaughan and Bert Lytell, whose return to the Alcazar is an nounced for next Monday night, will find that their popularity has not waned since they left San Francisco a year ago, for the advance demand for seats presages a crush audience at each of their performances during the week. While their personal and artis tic magnetism is mainly responsible for this pleasant outlook, the strength of the play selected as the medium for their relntroduction has more than a little to do with it. Winchell Smith's famous comedy, "The Fortune Hunter," will afford not only the co-stars, but every member of the regular Alcazar company, unusual opportunity for ef fective acting. The sixth symphony concert of the San Francisco orchestra, which will be given at the Cort theater Friday after noon, December 20, gives every indica tion of being the most Important. musically, of the season. December 20 being the thirty-eighth anniversary of the birth of Henry Had ley, it is fitting that he be represented on this program, so his symphony No. 4, "North, East, South and West," will be performed for the first time in San Francisco. The second part of the program will present Gottfried Galston, pianist, who will play the Lisat concerto In E flat. Galston was born in Vienna, the son of a German father. His mother was the daughter of a Polish refugee. As a child the language at home was Polish. Russian came easily to him through his mother, while frdm his father he learned French. Galston went to Eng land to play and lived there a year before he made his first appearance in the English metropolis. The last two numbers on the program will be the suite No. 1, op. 42, of Ed ward MaxiDowell, and Wagner's over ture to "The Mastersingers." "The Motor Girl" is rolling along merrily at the Savoy theater. Since the opening performance this new mu sical comedy has been amdended in many particulars, making it one of the best mediums that Kolb and Dill have ever had. As the two German-Ameri can adventurers, Louie Beanllfter and Mike Goosedipper, they have ample op portunity to display their fun making powers. They are aided and abetted in their comedy by Bessie Franklyn, as Wil helmina Lamm, the jail scrub woman. Their trio, "The Bull Con Army," is a huniorou* gem. Maude Lillian Berri is at her beat as Dorothy Dare, the motor girl. Percy Bronson has an ef fective number in "Southern Melodies" and winsome Winnie Baldwin has a part of much Importance. The rest of the principals are iWell cast and the hard working young\ho rus has plenty to do. "The Motor Girl" will enter upon its second week Sunday, and, in addition to the usual matinees next week, there will be a special afternoon perform ance Christmas day. Ada Reeve, the famous London sing ing comedienne, IS repeating her former triumph at the Orpheum. For next she promises new songs. The Orpheum road show, for which Martin Beck is personally responsible, opens next Sunday. Bert Clark and Mabel Hamilton, im mense favorites in the London music halls, will appear m "A Wayward Con ceit," which is an admirable vehicle for the display of their vocal and terp •ichorean ability. Signor Travato, the eccentric violln f, Croup of stars who are mentioned in the midweek theatrical review. JL ist who proved a musical sensation on the occasy>n of his previous visit, will again delight Orpheum audiences. A clever skit, "The Faker and the Lady," will introduce T. Roy Barnes and Bessie Crawford. Barnes has earned an enviable reputation as a "patter" comedian and Miss Crawford not only sings well but enhances her personal attractions by dressing handsomely, modiahly and tastefully. Joe Keno and Rose Green will be in evidence with what they style "Hands Across the Street," a "musical whizz." The three Hassans, recent European importations, will be seen in daring feats on the tight and slack wire, con cluding with a whirlwind dance. Next week will end the engagements of Os car and Suzette and Paul Dickey and company in "The Come Back." Dr. Frederick A. Cook, noted scien tist, surgeon and Arctic explorer, is attracting hosts to the Pantages this week with his vital lecture on his hardships and trials in pushing farther north. The audiences closely follow the lecturer's statements, which are illustrated with slides and documents verifying his contention that he really did discover the North pole. The en gagement of Dr. Cook is easily the most important capture for vaudeville. He appears in person at every per formance and is not represented mere ly as a figure on a moving picture screen as many people seem to imagine. For the Christmas week bill the Pantages will offer two big novelties and five other acts. Heading, the bill will be the spectacular production of "The Star of Bethlehem," in which more than one hundred people take part. Lewis and Lake's musical ex travaganza, "The Two Thieves," with 20 singing and dancing girls, special scenery, elaborate costuming, electri cal effects, and catchy musical num bers, is the second headliner. Margaret Bird and company, in the comedy "The Editor's Substitute"; LeClair and Samp son, burlesque strong men; the Fields brothers, blackface comedians; Gavin and Piatt, In the operetta "In Gypsy land", and Muriel Ardmore, a talented violinist, complete the big bill. * * * George B. Reno, ! n "The Misfit Ar my," and Gertrude Magill, Byron Bid well and company in the spectacular playlet "Number 44," are occupying and earning headline honors at the Empress this week and leading a program that is attracting capacity audiences. Topping next week's bill, opening next Sunday afternoon, will be Lind's spectacular dancing act, with scenic Betting and costuming costing a for tune. This is acknowledgedly one of the most expensive and beautiful terp sichorean offerings before the public. Miss Lottie Williams, comedienne, heading a clever company, will present Edmund Day's human interest comedy, "On Stony Ground." Will Oakland, counter tenor, is to appear in a return engagement with new songs; "Queen Mab" and Caapar Weis, the smallest actress and actor in the world, will amuse; Carlton Max and Camilla Cam eron, ventriloquists, will create many laughs; the three Gerts, athletes, Miss Marie Mullins, ln operatic and popular selections, Adolph Yon Ernst and wife ln a clever musical act and new motion pictures will complete the program. | "Ben Hur" Comes Again ! After 13 years of a success undu plicated in the history of the theater in America, "Ben Hur" comes again on its prosperous way. The Klaw & Er langer production has found a per manent plac» ln the affections of all classes of playgoers and the bounda ries of the book's popularity have been extended in all directions through the medium of the wonderful stage presen tation of the mystic story. Klaw & Erlanger assert that In spite of the beauty and magnificence of former productions of "Ben Hur" this season's is the most elaborate, expen sive and perfect. The production is new from the smallest "prop" up to the most elaborate of the panoramic "»eU>." In fact, so elaborate are the scenic and the mechanical equipments that there are only 20 stages in the United States large enough to present this year's version of "Ben Hur." For tunately for San Francisco the Colum bia theater is one of the 20 and the production will be seen here intact, be ginning Monday night, January 6. THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1912. FORAKER RELATES STORY OF LETTERS Former Senator Tells Clapp Committee That Hearst Paid $5,000 WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.—Former Senator Joseph B. Foraker of Ohio, tes tifying before the senate committee investigating campaign contributions today, read a statement setting forth a story of the manner in which Wil liam R. Hearst obtained the famous Archbold letters. The statement was a resume of a re port made to the former Senator by Gilchrist Stewart, purporting to be based on a description by W. W. Wink field of how Winkfield and Charles Stump took the Archbold letters from the Standard Oil office and sold them to Hearst. Both Winkfield and Stump were em ployes in Arrhbold's office at the time the letters disappeared. Winkfield, a negro, is a son of Arehbold's butler. FORAKER RELATES STORY Foraker said that while he did not vouch for the accuracy of the report, he suggested that Stewart be called to tell the story first hand. The first part of the former senator's testimony related the alleged story as reported by St,ewart of the preliminary negotiations for disposal of the letters taken from the Archbold files, a visit by Winkfleld and Stump to a man named Eldridge, and the first parleys as to the price to be paid. According to the statement, Wink field and Stump noticed a newspaper item about the sale of letters, and, tak ing some from the Archbold files, tried to sell them, but failed. Finally they wrote a letter to the New York Amer ican, making the offer, and the next day called up. They insisted on talk ing to Hearst, but were contented to meet a "representative" in the Little Savoy saloon. As a result of that con ference they went the next day to the private editorial office of the New York American, where a man named Eld ridge talked to them. They were told U\at Hearst stated that they were per forming a great public duty. They talked as to the price with Eldridge, wanting $10,000, but getting a promise of only $S,OOO. COMPROMISE FOR fS.COO They finally, after about one half hour's parley, compromised at $.".,000 Winkfleld and Stump then to bring the letters up the next evening. The next day Stump and Winkfield took the letters out one by one from the files. They then wrapped up two copying books in some newspapers, put the whole in a large box, such as tailors deliver suits in, and came out with It when Archbold had gone home. They took it immediately to the "Little Saroy," left It with the'pro prietor and returned to the office. Later, after the office closed, they se cured it and Stump carried the letters to Eldridge. Upon his entrance on this occasion everybody seemed expecting him and he was ushered into a large private office. Eldridge" took them and was gone about an hour and brought from an adjoining room 50 $100 bills which he gave to Stump. He asked him if he could leave the letters there until the next night and come at 6 o'clock with his partner. They next had their money changed into smaller denominations and had a MERCHANTS VISIT ECHOED IN GIFT TO SAN FRANCISCANS Angelenos Send Handsom Trophy to Local Retail Goods Association As a token of their appreciation of the splendid welcome and entertain ment provided for them on their trip to San Francisco last September, the Retail Dry Goods Merchants associa tion of Los Angeles has forwarded to the Retail Dry Goods association of San Francisco a handsome gold and silver placque dedicated to the "Good Time" the southern merchants enjoyed while visiting the fashion show in this city. At the time of their visit the good feeling and amity of the dry goods men of both cities led to the •rjranlSatiM of an association comprising all the retail dry goods merchants pf the state, known as the California Retail Dry Goods association. The new or ganization was hailed with enthusiasm and already has accomplished much ln the promotion of cordial feeling'among its members-'. Julien Liebes, vice president of the San Francisco association, received the beautiful souvenir yesterday and im mediately called a meeting of the dry goods merchants for the purpose of passing a resolution of thanks to be sent to the merchants of Los Angeles. The body of the placque is solid silver, with outlines of gold. It bears re plicas of the San Francisco and Los Angeles fashion show posters, and the following inscription: "Presented to the Retail Dry Goods Association of San Francisco by the Retail Dry Goods Merchants Asso ciation of Los Angeles In appre ciation of a good time at the San Francisco Fashion show, September 6. 6, 7, and 8." The trophy is inclosed in a rich mahogany frame, and will be hung in the directors' room of the association, members. A feature of the entertainment of the visitors during the fashion show which impressed itself upon the minds of the Los Angeles merchants was the activity of the San Francisco men in forming the new California association. The officers of this organization, as elected at that time, are as follows: President. B. F. Schlesinger, vice president, Arthur Letts; secretary, A. 8. Lavenson; treasurer. Marshal Hale; di rectors, R. M. Walker and J. H. Lash brooke of Los Angeles; Irving Kahn and T. B. Hlnk of Oakland, and L. Prager and R. W. Costello of San Fran cisco. big time that evening. The next even ing Stump wertt to see Eldridge and se cured the letters and files. Eldridge and another man informed him they were of great value and asked him if he could get"other correspondence. He informed them he could. They then gave him a list of prominent congressmen, senators, judges, governors and some other men of prominence, telling him to go as far back in the files as possible and look them up. Anything found con cerning them was to be brought to Eld ridge. photographed and returned and paid for according to its value. HOME FOR BLIND SELDOM HEATED, INMATES ALLEGE One Man Has Slept In Same Bed and Held Same <Job Nineteen. Years OAKLAND, Dec. IS.—Men's dormi tories at the industrial home of me chanical trades for the adult blind at 3601 Telegraph avenue were heated only when it was known that th*re would be a visit paid to the Institu tion by some of the state officials In Sacramento, according to testimony given today by Patrick Hoban, an aged inmate, before the committee which Is investigating the conduct of affairs *t the institution. Hoban was one of the witnesses called by John Dondero. the blind in mate who has brought charges of vari ous kinds against Joseph Sanders, the blind superintendent. "Was there any heat in your room last winter?" was asked Hoban by Rabbi Martin A. Meyer. "Never, except when an official visit was expected. In that case everything was made comfortable." replied the witness. "So far this winter there has been no heat in the dormitories until last Monday, the day this investigation began." Hoban was questioned about the hos pital at the home and asked if he had ever been forced to spend time there. "I have had my health," was the answer. "Thank God. I have not had to go into their so called hospital." SAMENESS ABOUT THIS IS MATE Hoban has been ln the institution for 19 years, and a peculiar thing about his case is that, he has slept in the same bed. in exacjtly the same portion of the building, during that time, and has worked daily at the same Job. His labor, he said, was the most dangerous ln the broom shop, as it involved handling a machine which made $00 revolutions a minute. He testified that he had seldom had new blankets on his bed In the 19 years, and said that he had used one blanket eight years. Thomas George, who lost his sight and suffered terrible disfigurement in a dynamite blast, told the investigat ing committee that he left the institu tion a couple of years ago to better his condition. He said he went to San Francisco. "What did you do there to better your condition?" he was asked. "I begged on the streets," said George. 'Did you make money?" he was asked. "More than I ever made In the broom factory," said the blind man. proudly. "Why, in a year and a half I had collected $100, a good suit of clothes, a phonograph and other things." When George returned to the insti tution he made only $5 a month, ac cording to his testimony. He said that the shop was run poOrly, that the foreman bullied the men and that there was much obscene language. Asked about the food he said: "It's improved a lot since Monday." George testified that the inmates pos itively were at the mercy of the board of directors. He said many were afraid to complain on this account. He said that in his time at the home he bad seen two men "die like dogs" of Deflect. He named them as J. Wick ers and A. Aherns. INMATES MENACED, WITNESS SAYS E. B. Deckard resumed the stand for a short time today and said that T>rfniol Welder, the shop foreman, had stated at a meeting of the blind men's club that if the inmates testified they would be summarily expelled. That preparations secretly and deftly had been made by Dondero and his associates for a long time before the present investigation was launched wag hinted at by Charles Morgan. This man said that many women from the outside brought him ln food when he was ill a month ago. He said that he finally refused to accept any more at their hands, as he believed them to be inspired by persons bent on finding flaws in the management and looking for complaints from ailing men and women which they could use later in the trial. He said he told these things to Sanders. Some of the witnesses called for the complainant turned out to be excel lent witnesses for the defense. These were principally women, who stated that they were quite consent with their lot. Among them was Miss Sarah Fryberg. DOCTOR FINDS FOOD GOOD Dr. N. K. Foster, director of health in the Oakland schools department, took the stand to say that he found the food good when he had visited the home as secretary of the state board of health. "I* was particularly attracted to the corn beef," said the physician, "and always timed my visits on Saturday, which is the day corn beef is served to the inmates." The case of the complainants prac tically is in and the committee began at a late hour this afternoon on the case of the defense. John P. Irish, president of the board Of directors, became the target for the liveliest fire of questions that has been directed at any witness in the investigation. Dr. Meyer, Rev. Charles A. Ramm, and Dr. Jessica Peixotto, who are the judges, as well as Secretary W. Almont Gates and four or five blind men, sparred for room in which to fling their interroga tions at the head of Irish. That J. Cloutman, who has com plained that he was expelled from the home without a hearing, really was expelled in this way was established by Irish's admissions. "The man was called into the office and in the presence of the board was told that he must go to work In the broom factory where he would learn a trade," explained Irish. "Not a great while after another charge was brought against Cloutman and on the strength of the latter he was dismissed." "But do you call that a hearing?" de manded Doctor Meyer. "No," said Irish, "but it was for the good of the institution that Cloutman should go." Doctor Meyer replied: "I had been led to believe that in America no man was condemned upon the strength of one small hearing, at which time nothing was done beyond bringing the charges against him. I thought every man was entitled to a trial." GROSS IMMORALITY HINTED AT Irish explained later that in caes of gross immorality inmates were dis missed without warning or hearing. Doctor Meyer asked the witness If the complaints of the blind men always had been given careful consideration by the board. Irish said they had, but when asked to cite an instance where the board had sided with the inmates against the management he failed to recall one. Irish constantly was answering ques tions about these matters from all aides. At the outset of his testimony he diverged and gave a brief history Of the institution, which he said he had had a hand in securing from the state. He compared the "Seeing man" with the blind man as a superintendent for such i Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Maniac Overlooks No Bets OX.V ARD, Dec. 18.—Armed with shotguns and revolvers, a sup posed madman, who gave the name of Sam Smythe and who said he was hunting for Edward Payson Weston, the pedestrian, wns captured by a sheriff's posse today, after he had terrorised the residents of the Castas district for 24 hours. Smythe ran amuck yesterday afternoon, discharging his shot guns and revolvers at every moving object and making a target of every moving; being he saw. He finally tired of his raid upon passing nutomohlllsts and householders and drove a Mex ican family from a hut. which he converted Into a fort. Appeal* for help reached the sheriff's office at Ventura late last night and n posse surrounded the hut and captured the man today. 'PLANE SUPPLANTS SANTA'S REINDEER Kriss Kringle ChristofTerson Will Toss Gifts From Air to the Kiddies Final plans for Santa's wholesale distribution of gifts to 10.000 San Francisco children on Christmas day were perfected Tuesday at a meeting of the committee in charge at the stadium ln Golden Gate park, where the affair is to take place next Wednesday. An immense Christmas tree, beauti fully decorated with holiday colors, will be mounted on a pedestal and near by will be a throne for Santa Clau*, the patron saint of the day. Miss Cora SleSSinger will have charge of the decorations, assisted by 10 mem bers of the women's committee on ar rangements. Wide strips of canvas will be placed around the track, #nd on these will be laid the gifts and presents for the children. Each child will be provided with two tickets calling for gifts and will be permitted to choose the toys he or she most desires from the dif ferent booths. The children holding tickets will be seated on the slope at the west end of the stadium. Only those holding tickets and accompanied by parents or escorts will he permitted in this sec tion of the track. The other portion of the stadium, with room for 20,000 people, will be open to the public. Silas Christofferson, the aviator, will act the part of an aerial Santa Claus. Garbed In true Christmas costume he will fly over the park in an aeroplane and throw out presents and flowers. Preceding the presentation of gifts there will be a parade. In which Santa Claus, attended by Mayor Rolph's lit tle girls, will be escorted around the stadium by the League of the Cross Cadets, the Columbia Park Boys' band and the Nationals. In this parade will be Chinese and Japanese children in oriental costume, and it is expected that the German turn verein will send a large delegation of uniformed mem bers. Those participating in the pa rade will gather at the entrance to Golden Gate park opposite Spreckels lake, and will march through the north tunnel to the stadium. Moving pictures will be taken of the scene, to be shown all over the world as evidence of the climatic conditions that prevail in winter in the exposition city. a home and said it had been found that the blind man was infinitely superior. The evening session developed a spirited tilt between John Dondero and John P. Irish, in which ugly words were passed following charges made by Don dero that an inmate of the institution had at one time worked at the home of Irish. While going into the matter of the employment of the inmates, Don dero took the Stand to state that he had heard that an inmate had worked for Irish. IRISH PASSES THE LIB "That's a He," exclaimed Irish. Asked where he had obtained his In formation, Dondero called Gerald Clout man, who said that he had heard two Inmates talking, when one had said that another Inmate named Johnson worked in the tenderloin and some times at Irish's home. "If you will go on the stand and state that any inmate ever worked for me I will put you In San Quentln," said Irish, and later, after apologizing to the board, he said he would put any man in the penitentiary who would state such a thing on the stand. Don dero replied that he would not go on the stand for a direct accusation, as he only had obtained his information second handed. He, also, apologized. Irish was questioned regarding the methods at the home regarding medical attendance, food, management and the employment of the inmates, following which representatives of various houses which supplied foodstuffs to the insti tution were examined. These included Fred W. Edwards, fish merchant; Wil son F. Hobbs, manager of the Western Meat company; E. A. Young, butcher, and John Mitchell, member of the state board of equalization, wholesale grocer. JANITOR NURSES SICK Irish testified that a physician was hired by the year and visited the pa tients every day. the sick being nursed by the janitor, as no provision was made for the hiring of professional nurses. Irish conceded that there were many improvements neded at the insti tution, such as a refrigerator plant, but which were impossible because of the small appropriation. Irish testified the institution was regarded all over the world as a model one. As to the ques tion of a possible greater diversity of industries, Irish said that they were using all that could be used with profit. The investigation will be resumed Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Why Have "Nerves?" This is the reason why women have " nerves." When thoughts begin to grow cloudy and uncertain, impulses lag and the warnings of pain and distress are sent like flying messages throughout limbs and frame, straightway, nine times in ten, a woman will lay the cause of the trouble to tome defect at the point where she first felt it. Is it a headache, a backache, a sensation of irritability or twitching and uncontrollable nervousness, something must be wrong with the heed or beck, • woman naturally says, but all the time the real trouble very often centers in the womanly organs. In nine cases out of ten the seat of the difficulty v here, end a women should take rational treatment for its cure. The local disorder end inflam mation of the delicate special organs of the sex should be treated steadily end systematically. Dr. Pierce, during a long period of practice, found that c prescription mad* from medicinal extracts of native roots,without the use of alcohol, relieved over 90 per cent, of such cases. After using this remedy fonfnaay years in his private prac tice he put it up in form of Dr. Pierces Favorite Prescription, that would make ii easily procurable, and it can be had at any store where medicines ere hendled. Mrs. Lila. B. Hawkins, of Zeus. Va., writes: " I had been falllna- In health for two years-most of the time was not able to attend to my householdfdutle? TAKE DR. PIERCES PLEASANT PELLETS FOR LIVER ILLS. PROPOSES INCOME TAX TO WIPE OUT STATE'S DEFICIT Senator Shanahan Prepares Measure Designed to Pro vide Long Purse for Legislature GEORGE A. VAN SMITH Through the imposition of a gradu ated income tax. Senator T. W. H. Shanahan purposes to wipe out the deficit faced by the state government; insure the administration against em barrassment in any of its plans for state betterment; protect the public service corporations again9t unfair taxation, and provide all the money a not too conservative legislature might care to spend. Shanahan is an unselfish statesman. He is not content to rest upon his free textbook laurels, which a progressive administration permitted him (a demo crat) to seize and wear for hi* own. He is prepared to come to the assist ance of the majority party now. He is willing to furnish It with all the money It needs, and more. And incidentally the success of his scheme does not hinge upon the two-thirds vote that must be secured to increase the gross earnings tax rate on public utilities corporations. Shanahan has a sure cure for deficits. The panacea is simple. Only a single precaution must be observed. The remedy is powerful. Care must be taken against large doses. Adminis tered in allopathic portions, it might produce so much money that the legis lature would be compelled to work overtime spending Its proceeds. SHANAHAN PREPARES MEASURE * Shanahan announced yesterday that he Intended immediately to prepare a bill providing for a graduated income tax and to Introduce his measure upon the convention of the legislature. The natural handicaps to be overcome In the enactment of such a measure are few. In the first place, the adoption of a graduated income tax scheme does not involve constitutional amendment. The constitution has authorised such leg islation since 1879. Secondly, an in come tax may be imposed as supple mental to the existing tax systems without disturbing either of them.. And finally. It might be imposed without driving the public service corporations Into the courts to prevent additions to their tax payments. Section 11, Article IS, of the con stitution provides: "Income taxes may be assessed to and collected from persons, corporations. Joint stock associations, or companies resident, or doing business ln this state, or any one or more of them, ln such cases and amounts, and in such manner, as shall be prescribed by law." There is authority for the imposition of income taxes, graduated, segregated, classified or otherwise divided as the legislature in its wisdom may see fit to prescribe. The law proposed by Shanahan may expressly provide that the Income tax shall be levied on all persons and corporations, other than those covered by the segregated groas earnings tax amendment adopted two years ago. It may exempt certain classes of Income from taxation. And it may be passed by mere majority votes ln both houses of the legislature. CURTIN AMENDMENT UNNECESSARY "There was no necessity for the Cur tin constitutional amendment," said Shanahan yesterday. "The gross earn ings tax Imposed by that amendment Is an Income tax and could have been levied under the existing provisions of the constitution. Segregation of the revenues for state support was the only new thing in the amendment and that could have baen accomplished by statute. "In addition to the authority con ferred upon the legislature by our own constitution, the federal courts have held that the imposition of an income tax is a power that is ln the several states. The adoption of the income tax idea by California would be only the adoption of an idea that every government must come to sooner or later. "The Income tax contemplates taking for the support of government from the Superfluities rather than from the neoesslties of life. It Is to tax wealth and it will reach classes of property not reached by the existing systems." Shanahan admitted that he was not prepared to discuss the question of income tax rates. The rates, he said, must be fixed with full consideration of the state's needs and with exceed ing caro to prevent the production of a too abundant revenue. PROVIDE $6,000 EXEMPTION Roughly, his scheme contemplates the imposition of a graduated tax up"n Incomes in excess of $5,000 a year. His bill could not reach the public service corporations which under the Curtin amendment tax pay a gross earnings tax in lieu of all Other forms of tax ation. It would not reach the 'wage earners and could reach only a small percentage of the salaried men and women of the state, because of the $5,000 exemption. It would reach mining corporations, oil companies and an manner of pri vate corporations. And possibly it might reach incomes from properties exempted from an ad valorem tax, such as municipal bonds. Shanahan as an assemblyman Intro duced en Income tax scheme in the early nineties. As a matter of course, a meajmre designed to fit conditions 20 years ago was essentially different from the measure Shanahan ha* in mind now. The assembly was republican. It de cided that the Shasta democrat's scheme was important enough to require the attention of a holdover committee In structed to report on the subject matter at the ensuing session. The committee was appointed, but it never met. The income infant was abandoned at the 1 capltol steps and died unmourned.