East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-01-27

any necessity for such an increase in
state expenses? Judging from local
conditions there is not The Judge OF
this district probably has the heaviest
docket regularly OF any Judge in east
ern Oregon. Yet our court keeps up
with its work and no complaints are
heard. Elsewhere in eastern oregon
so II is said. there are judges who do
less than a month OF real work in a
year Now IL it is desirable to make
any change why not enlarge some OF
these districts where there is little lit
igation or else detail those judges TO
aid in the work where it is more con-
gested.
1t is the view Of the East oregonian
there is no earthly reason for eight
new circuit judges in Oregon and il
that bill is adopted the people will be
getting a queer brand OF economy
from the legislature.
SS~SS~~S~
Before a gathering in st. Louis
Jan. %, Secretary OF Commerce Red
field made answer to
Blocking some criticisms James ].
Prosperity. Hill had made of the
ship purchase bill. He
effectively disposed of the claim made
that for this government to purchase
and operate ships might cause inter-
national entanglements by reading
an official communication from the
British government. made through the
English ambassador. saying Great
Britain has no objections to the pur.
chase by the American government
Of German ships for use in trade with
South America, The secretary also
made the announcement that the gov.
eminent has been offered English
ships and French ships II they are
wanted.
AS pointed out by Secretary Red
field the ship purchase bill is up be-
cause the government realizes that
it is necessary for our prosperity that
American products be moved even II
the government has TO do the work it.
self. He gave data showing private
shipping concerns have cancelled con-
tracts and have advanced ocean rates
from 800 to 500 per cent, without any
just cause, thus raising havoc with
our commerce to neutral countries.
Answering other points the secre-
tary gave figures showing that the
Panama Steamship Co, owned by the
is not a failure as has
been asserted by advocates of the pri-
vate shipping interests, but is sue
cess even from a dividend standpoint
The secretary aptly described the
situation when he said the United
States is in the position Of a mercan-
tile house that relies upon its COM
petitors for a delivery system. 1t is
4 precarious arrangement at the best
and with a war in progress the plan
Is intolerable.
At present the greatest obstacle to
the full return OF prosperity in this
country consists in the lack Of ship
ping facilities to enable US to take
advantage OF great trade opportuni-
ties made possible by the war. Singu-
larly enough the party that is always
posing as the champion Of prosperity
is resorting to every method, fair or
foul, to prevent the passage Of the
ship purchase bill through the SEN
ate. If through their filibustering
tactics they should be able to defeat
the bill the republican party will
have much to answer for IN the next
presidential election.
~S~$O~e-s-~
The president in his indianapolis
speech very wisely emphasized the
slogan Of the cham
BUY IL Now" Der OF commerce Of
that city, IF you are
going to buy it, buy it now" This
expresses an immediate need Of the