Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-06
EACH HAS DIFFERENT
IDEAS ABOUT FLAX
AND ALL ARE RIGHT
Consensus Of Opinion Is ''Pret
ty Much Of a Good Deal
Of Most Anything"


of opinion it has been universally ad-
mitted that somebody was wrong. The
possible exception is in regard to the
Flax Situation" On Sunday closing,
the war in Europe, prohibition and
corns, there are only two opinions be-
cause everyone knows more or less
about them; but the flax question al
lows an unlimited field for expression
of opinions because the answer. is in
the future and any one with sporting
blood will take chance on that.
Since, however, only one contention
can be the right one it has been much
sought after and The Capital Journal
has endeavored to give its readers the
correct facts regardless Of the coming
primary elections which loom up in the
offing. With tnis-idea in view numer-
Gus interviews on the "Flax Situa-
ton" have been secured.
Hon. Carle Abrams, state industrial
accident commissioner and corn raiser
of note, was asked for his opinion.
Certainly" said Mr.. Abrams, "I
will be glad to express my views on the
flax situation as / know nothing what
ever about it and feel competent,
therefore, to express, as my mind is ao-
solutely free from bias"
Mr.. Abrams went on to admit that
there had been considerable rain this
fall and that anything spread out in
the weather was likely. to rot. When
told that flax was cured, like sour
krout, and must spoil before it was
good, he stated that the situation was
q peculiar one," which was considered
an excellent stand to take in the mat
ter.
H. H. Corey, secretary Of the state
public service commission, and who
would do the commishing from Eastern
Oregon next time, was approached. Mr..
Corey is a very approachable man.
"Sure,' he said, "I've worn linen
collars for years and know all about
the flax situation, but collars and
shirts are not made of political flax.
Do you think shirt made of political
flax would stay on your back9 And
how about the sheets of the same ma
terial Do you think they would lay
straight on top Of the mattressa No,
political flax and political facts are
both twisted to suit the yarn that has
the most popular demand for tle time
being and hesitate to become en-
tangled in the present skein as I con-
slider the controversy in competent
hands as it is." N
Arthur Benson, deputy clerk Of the
supreme court, was asked for the le-
gal aspects of the .flax situation. He
expressed the opinion that flax was
undoubtedly a fine thing for convicts
as it taught them to look up after
STOPPING as low as they could and that
the close association also helped their
moral fibre.
State Engineer John II. Lewis and
Chief Deputy Cantine were both too
busy to take up any serious discussion
Of flax. Percy Cupper however, opined
that it should be retted on irrigated
land where they were never troubled
with too much moisture.
J. P. Ward elevator operator in the
supreme court building, said:
"Leave it to the governor He is
the flax expert"
There the matter rests. 1t has been
conclusively proven that flax will grow
exceedingly well in this valley; that it
will provide work for the inmates of
the state pen; and that it can be ever
lastingly retted in the rain. Whether
it will be cheaper to build tanks in
the future or to provide some method
Of regulating the rainfall will be set
ted by the next legislature. That this
has been an unusual fall and tnat no
ooa bnraohoute 10 ,art;a,,1o ,lxr /.
BILE for the lack Of sunshine is also ad-
mitted. Whether the flax is spoiled or
not is a question. A. certain amount Of
"spoiling" is good for it the same as
certain amount of fleas is good for a
dog, but how much spelling flax needs
to be "rotten , is question that can
be answered only by the expert. Gov
ernor Withycombe says Cady is an ex-
pert and Secretary Olcott denies it.
Time alone will answer as to who is
correct in his judgment. The final
test will be with the flax as it is with
all other commodities grown or manu-.
factured. That is, what will it bring
in the market If the finished pro-
duet will return enough to pay the
state back for the money 1t has expend-
ed and allow reasonable amount for
the hire of the convicts the flax expert
ment will not be failure as it has
been profitable for the farmers VINO
are in no way responsible for the final
Ioutcome of the venture.
The attempt to secure definite infor
nation in the matter shows that those
who ought to know differ and those
who believe they know are not believed
and every one has an opinion Of his
own which he likes better than any.
ones else because he made it himself
and secured a good mental fit.