The Omaha Daily Bee. ESTABLISHED JITNE 1f, 1871. OMAHA, If HID AY MOItNI-NO, DECEMBER 5, 1902 TEaS PAGES. SINGLE COPY TlIltEE CENTS. TELL TIIEIR WAGES liiners Appear Before Ooramisiion wit Stories of Porerty. EARN LISS THAN FOUR DOLLARS WEEKLY Slavonians Art Brought In to Take Work on Breakers. COXE TRIES TO BREAK UP MEN'S UNION Offers Local President Better Job to Leare Organization. MAN WORKS TWENTY-FOUR HOURS ON END Should He Sleep ou Duty F"" Would Stop, Kaa Collect an Men and Mine Be Blows Piece. to RPRANTON Pa Dec 4 At today's'ses- I Ions of the strike commission practical ; right parties supporting the vice presl tnlners told their story of conditions In the dent, who ordered Herr Singer to leave the Hazleton coal fields. The miners tried to j house. show that the Coxe and other companies j "err Singer, however, defied him and as ih. .rreement. that the strikers ! he rulrm do not provide for the arrest or should return to work and be grven their old places where they had not already been filled. The commission decided to Invite the tnlne inspectors to appear before It, be cause the miners claim that workmen fear to mention dangerous or unhealthy places In the mines because the Inspectors are usually accompanied by aome representative of the company. Rumors of possible negotlationa looking to a settlement continue. Whatever is done will ' first be decided upon In New York, where those In authority are lo cated. The opinion still prevails here and rather strongly, too, that the operators and the miners will agree on most points before the commission concludes Its hear ings. Protntftrs Not Kept. Andrew Matter, a Slavonian, who was employed at Coxe Bros.' company, was the first witness today. He was the president of his local union and was told by the com pany, he said, that If he quit the union he would be given a boss Job. He refused and later was given such bad work that he gave ttp his Job. He said he was the means of bringing fourteen Slavonians to this country at the Instance of a breaker boss at the Coxe mines. They were premised (1.10 a day, but received only 65 or 80 cents. When the witness was asked by Mr. Dar row how many times he had seen the mine Inspector In the mines. Commissioner Wat kins asked the purpose of the question. Mr Dfctrow said a rule the mine Inspec tor was accompanied by a company official and, therefore, a miner was afraid to make a complaint In the preaence of his boss. He maintained Inspectors should be unac companied and their attention not diverted from bad places In the mines. In consequence of this allegation all mine Inspectors will be Invited to testify regard ing the point raised."? John O. Strenix. an Englishman, followed Mattey. He said he averaged about $300 a year and had worked In the mine for thirty years. John Farart, am Austrian, formerly em ployed by the Coxe company, said he was able to save only $0 In seven years. W. H. Dettrey was recalled In the after Boon. He presented correspondence be tween htm and the Coxe Co., with regard to $39 men who struck and were not given back their places, Borne of these men were subsequently taken back. He testified that the mine foreman read him a letter, a copy of which he fruitlessly tried to obtain, stating that the other men would not be taken back until after the strike commission made Its award. "It the award." he said the letter stated. "Is agalnat the men, noae of the United Mine Workeit will be taken back." On cross-examination he said he did not know bow many of the men mentioned were hfdjl for violating the law, but knew of sixteen having been dragged fifteen miles oast Justices of the peace, to Hazleton where they had to appear before a Justice whose sympathies were with the company. Works Twenty-Four-Ilour f)my Jackson Ansbacb was the first foreman to appear before the commission. Hs said he received f 1.67 tor a day of twelve hours and his assistant 11.3. On every other Sunday, when he and hla assistant shifted from day to night work, they were com pelled to work twenty-four hours straight without relief. ' This statement caused a buzz through the room and every commissioner straight ened up and became more Interested. He was off, ho said, one day evsry two weeks, tbus working six days one week and eight the next. "Supposing you should tall asleep when you work in the long shift of twenty-four hours, what would happen?" asked Mr. Darrow. "Well, If I slept long enough the fans would atop, the mines fill with gaa, and It an explosion occurred the miners would be killed: that Is all." The Rev. James Hussle, rector of St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic church of Hazle ton, and dean by appointment of the bUhop of Lower Luzerne, said he had lived In the coal regions practically all his life. "The conditions In this region," he added, "are deplorable. The mine workers are barely able to exist. I say this without any coloring, knowing that I am under oath. I realize that what I say Is going to the American people and I want to talk cautiously. I have ben In their homes. They are not homes, but merely habita tions, resting placea. They are frugal, conservative, reasonable and God-fearing people. We have eight Catholic churches In Hazleton and they are crowded every Sunday with worshipers, and this Is no doubt true of the churches whose faith Is opposed to ours. "Families cannot be kept together," he went on. "The boys are sent Into the mines almost as soon as they are able to toddle about, and the girls to the mills In the small towns or drift to large cities." He related Instances of poverty and said It took one man six years to pay oft a funeral debt of 1200. In reply to further questioning Father Huasle said that he had examined fifty or sixty tulas workers . and found only three who were able to save money. One waa a Scotchman, one an Austrian and the third Inherited his. He examined the tax. lists of Hazleton, and only eighty mine em ployee out of 1.T2J aasessed owned their owa homes. Hs could set ary whether they were clear of debt. The commission adjourned. SHAMOKIN, Pa.. Dec. 4. The Ninth die. trlct executive board of United Mine Work era tonight officially announced that the .district would not receive any more aid (Continued oa Second Page.) TUMULT IN THE REICHSTAG Trouble In Caused by Failure. Reroatalse Member Wkt Ha Rlstht to Floor. to BERLIN Dec. 4. The Fel'hteg was Ir a state of wild tumult tcday fir a few min utes over a slight niUucderstanding as to who bad the right to the floor. Hcrr Singer, socialist, had arranged with Pres ident von Ballestram for Yocognltlon at a certain Juncture. Meanwhile the president left the chair, after explaining to Vice President von Stollberg-WcrnKerode, who had the next right to the floor, but the vice president recognized Herr Spahn, of the center party, Herr Singer started to mount the steps to the tribune and the vice president told him to sit down. Herr Singer, In some surprise, stopped on the steps and Herr' Spahn took the tribune and began his speech, with Herr Singer loudly protesting, for which the vice presi dent called him to order, taylnR his turn for recognition would come later. The members of the Reichstag? were by that time In such a state of passion, and tension that they all sprang to their feet, the socialists shouting In support of Herr Singer and the members of the center and removal of recalcitrant memben. the vice president was powerless, exc?pt to suspend the session for half an hour. At the expiration of that time business was quietly resumed, with the reading of I the reports of members of the tariff com mittee. GERMANY IS NOT SATISFIED Reply of Venesuela la Regarded a Only a Subterfuge to Gala More Time. BERLIN, Dec. 4. The note of President Castro of Venezuela, presented to the Ger man minister at Caracas a week ago. Is not satisfactory to the German government. It is deemed Inadequate and as being es pecially designed to gain further time. Its partial acceptance of the German demands was coupled with conditions that are unac ceptable. The exchange of views with the British Foreign office has resulted In a decision to proceed with the Joint action. An ulti matum will almost certainly be presented In a few days. The phrasing of the note la the subject of the present correspondence between the re spective governments, whose action will not await the arrival In the West Indies of the cruisers Amaion, Nlobe and Ariadne, as Germany already baa an ample force there. The departure of these cruisers has been indefinitely postponed. A seemingly Inspired article In the Co logne Gatette today says: "Despite Ger many's patience with Venezuela, all thought has been abandoned of a feaceful settle ment," and that Venezuela has treated Ger many In a manner almost Insulting be cause Venezuela published official communi cations without Germany's consent, coupled with Improper comments! '." GREAT PREACHER IS MOURNED Memorial aad Faneral Services for Dr. Parker Are Held la London Temple. LONDON, Dec 4. A memorial service for the late Dr. Parker waa held In the City Temple this morning. It was an Im pressive demonstration. The temple waa filled with flowers and crowded with per sonal friends of the deceased and repre sentatives of a score of religious organiza tions. The streets outside the building were filled with crowds who were unable to enter and who waited In the biting wind to see the coffin carried out for Interment at Hampstead. The music Included Dr. Parker's favorite hymn aud Tennyaon's "Crossing the Bar." Dr. Clifford and Dr. Robertson Nlcoll officiated. Dr. Nlcoll, who preached the funeral sermon, said: ' The Christian church hag mourned one of Its greatest preachers, and free church men must feel how rich they had been and how poor they have now become. SHAMROCK NEARLY BURNED Firemen Fight Fierce Flames for an Hoar aad Just Saeceed la Saving; Challenger. LONDON, Dec. 4. Shamrock III had a narrow escape from being burned tonight in a fire which did great damage to Denny's j shipyards at Dumbarton. Only strenuoua efforts saved the challenger, now well ad vanced In Ita construction. Redhot cinders were blown on the root and sides of the shed In which Shamrock III is being built. Tbe fire was fiercest In the fitter's shop and tbe wind blew In the direction of Shamrock's shed, whloh is only thirty yards distant, for an hour. A spe cial force of men bad hard work to save the challenger. Eventually the Otter's shop was gutted, but the fire was got under control. All the material parts of Shamrock III are safe, although the construction of the yacht will bo delayed for some time. ANARCHIST IS CLOSELY HELD Man Who latended to Kill Klasr Alfonso Believed to Bo Fela las Insanity. MADRID, Dec 4. Perez Pulgar, the anarchist, arrested recently at Orent, and who said be Intended to kill King Alfonso, Is held in close confinement. It Is learned that In spite of his claim to be a citizen of Argentina be is a Spaniard 22 years old. Ths police are searching for bis ac complices and It is thought the Investiga tion will result In unearthing an Impor tant plot. The officials believe that Pulgar ts feigning insanity. NOT WILLING TO "ARBITRATE Great Britain Does Not Think Sneer (location Proper Oae for Tha, Hague Tribunal. LONDON. Dec. 4 Replying to a question todsy in the House ot Commons on the sub ject ot Russia's offer to submit the ques tion of Russian sugar and all other goods to ths arbitration of The Hague tribunal, Lord Cranborne, under foreign secretary, said the government had Informed Russia It did not consider the question a proper one for arbitration, bat that Great Britain was still ready to renounce the commercial treaty of 1U ii Russia so desired. REED SUFFERS BAD RELAPSE Condition of Former Speaker ii Vow Re ported Critical HOLD LENGTHY CONSULTATION Isnae S Balletln, bat State Verbal While State neat Is Tt )on Kot All; Te. WASHINGTON. Dec. 4. At 11:30 tonight the condition of ex-Speaker Thomas B. Reed was reported critical. A few minutes before that Dr. Gardner, one of the attending physicians, handed the folio? Ing bulletin to the press: At 10 r. m. Mr. Reed's condition is as fol lows: Temperature, 100 2-6; pulse, 88; res piration, 34. Mr. Reed suffered from some degree of uraemlc coma during the afternoon, but his mind Is again clear this evening. His appendlclal symptoms are rapidly sub siding and hie appendicitis is not an impor tant factor in his condition. i W. C. (SOODNOW, M. P. F. A. UAKDN Kit, M. 1). T. L. M'DONALD, M. D. Dr. Gardner made two visits to his pa tient during the evening, leaving the first time at half past 8. Later he and Drs. Goodnow and McDonald came and remained at the hotel for nearly two hours, some of the time with Mr. Reed and the re mainder of the time in consultation. Dr. Gardner was not disposed to talk about the case or to add anything to the bulletin, saying it contained an exact statement of Mr. Reed's condition.' He did say, however, that Mr. Reed's condition was critical, but that it was bet ter than at 5 o'clock this afternoon. In some respects Mr. Reed was better than last night and In some worse. He was i better as far as the appendicitis symptoms j ,' ennral-noil K.it Ik. failnraa gave the case a graver aspect. After Issuing the bulletin the doctor went home for the night, leaving his as sistant. Dr. Bishop, with Mr. Reed. SEEK TO BUYvA COMPETITOR Chicago-Omaha Lines Make Active EsTcrt to Secure Chicago Great Western. NEW YORK, Dec. 4. (Special Telegram.) Wall street Interests well Informed In Chicago Great Western matters announced today that within sixty days there have been active efforts to secure control of the Great Western property, by other roads. The extension to Omaha will be opened In the spring and the road will be a more Important factor than ever In northwestern traffic. It is regarded as altogether prob able that It will not be many months be fore it passes Into the control of one of the big systems. It was thought the North western wag the system after the line, but this is auhoriatlvely dented today by offi cials of that road and Wall street Is look ing elsewhere. CHICAGO, Dec. 4. A. P. Stlckney. presi dent of the Chicago 4b Greats Western, has Issued a circular to stockholders requesting them to send htm proxies ior-.he special meeting on February 18. This meeting will vote on the proposition to Increase the common stock from $30,000,000 to $50,000, 000. In his circular be says: The company ha arranged with the pro prietors of the Mason City & Fort Dodge Railroad company to extend Ita line, in Omaha and Sioux City and to purchase and Improve certain branch lines belonging to this company, together making a system of about 503 miles, connecting with the main lines of the Chicago & Great Western m ueiwein. ia., ana at uaytield, Minn. COLD SNAP SWEEPS" KANSAS Zero Weather Is Experienced, but Finds Cattlemen Amply Prepared. SIOUX CITT, la.. Dec. 4. Today was the coldest of the season. 9 degrees below zero. TOPEKA. Kan., Dec. 4. Zero weather Is reported from a number of localities In northern Kansaa, but the sudden fall In temperature Is believed to have caught but few cattlemen unprepared. In Kiowa county In the southwestern part of the state the supply of coal for general con sumption is scant. LA CROSSE, Wis., Dec. 4. La Crosse and vicinity experienced the coldest weather of the season this morning, when the mercury in the Weather bureau thermometer dropped to the zero mark. Instruments about town showed aa low as 10 below zero. The Weather bureau promises that the temperature will rise within twenty-four hours and that more snow will fall shortly. JACKSON. Miss., Dec. 4 General rain. sleet and snow prevailed throughout the state today This Is the earliest snow known here In years. Business is practi cally at a standstill, telegraph wires are prostrated and railway traffic has been Impeded. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 4. Sleet and rain fell all morning In the territory adjacent to Memphis. Telegraphic communication Is crippled south and west of Memphis. SUGAR PRICES ARE BOOSTED Western Reflnlnar Company Adds Forty Cents on All Reflned Goods. SAN FRANCISCO. Dee. 4. The Western Sugar Refining company today sent out cir culars to all the wholesale grocery houses In California. Oregon, Nevada and Wash ington, notifying them that until further notice the price of all grades of refined sugar would stand advanced 40c per 100 pounds. All grades of refined sugar were advanced ten points In New York yesterday, an ac tion which, apparently, caused the Increase of prices here today. Local dealers say tbey would not be sur prised It the western company were to raise prices again in the near future, as the market 1 still 30 rents per 100 pounds less than the rates in New York, which is unusual. RATE ON COAL IS INCREASING Laka Freights Jump from Thirty Ceats to One Dollar Per Ton. DULtJTH, Minn., Dec. 4. The Pittsburg Steamship compsny has Just closed a con tract to bring to the bead ot Lake Superior this fall 100.000 tons of coal, mostly an thracite, the freight rats being $1 a ton. Coal has been carried up sU the year at $0 cents a ton, but the western shortage and the urgency ot western shippers led to this price. All tbe twenty to twenty-five ships that bring up th's coal will remain here for the winter, and all the coal will be de livered ia tt next fifteen days. TROOP TRANSPORTS IN DANGER Root Toaaldera Giving; Business to Seattle Line Instead of Got. erament Ship. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. Secretary Root had a conference today with Quartermaster General Ludington and Colonel Pattington, in charge of the army transport service, with regard to the transportation of troops and supplies to the Philippines. The lowest bid received waa that of the Boston company, running between Seattle and Manila. It was below regular commer cial rates. The main question to be determined is whether the rates offered would Justify the abandonment of the army transport service. Although no bid was received from San Frauclsco the business Interests of .that. city are actively opposing the transfer of the business. The officers of the quartermaster's de partment are said to oppose the discon tinuance of the army transport service Although Secretary Root has committed ' himself in favor of private lines, he Is not yet prepared to act and bee called for ad ditional data as to the effect of the ac ceptance of the Boston company's bid. BATES JOINS CANTEEN CRY Quotes Fiaarea showing; Less of Disci pline Following; Abolition of Official Bars. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. General Bates, paymaster general of the army, has written to Adjutent General Corbln in regard to the army canteen question as follows: The War department. In recommending the restoration of the canteen, claims that it Improves disc lpllne. lessens desertion and that it decrease tines and forfeitures by courts-martlnl on account of breaches of military discipline resulting from the use CI intoxicants This appears to be fully borne cut by the records of the paymaster general's officers, which tihow that the paymaster of the army collected I42,tS8 fcom 7o,000 enlisted men during the last year In which the canteen was in force on account of home dues, fines and forfeitures, while during the fiscal year 19u2. since the canteen was abolished, there was collected by pay masters from about "0.000 enlisted men on the same account $632,125. The fact therefore appears Indisputable by the figures cited that the fines and for feitures imposed upon and collected from the enlisted men of the army were vastly Increased during the year subsequent to the abclltion of the canteen, which In crease cannot lie well attributed to any other cause than the effects of an uncon trolled liquor traffic in connection with military posts, which traffic appears to seriously affect the discipline and morals of the army. , MINISTER TO JAPAN IS DEAD Alfred Buck Taken Suddenly 111 While on Hunting; Trip and Expires. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. The Japanese minister called at the State department. In baste today to communicate to Secretary Hay a cablegram he had received from the minister of foreign affairs at Toklo, dated today, atatlng that while Mr. Buck, the United States minister to Jaaan, was on a hunting trip this afternoon he was taken suddenly 111 aad expired. The service of the deceased minister covered a critical and Important chapter of Japanese history. The State department will take the necessary steps to see that Mr. Buck's remains are brought to this country for interment. If his family so desire. Hunt ington Wilson, the secretary of legation, was designated as charge. ATLANTA, Ga., Dec. 4. Hon. Alfred E. Buck was about 60 years of age aud was a leader In republican politics In Georgia. In 1897 be waa appointed by President McKlnley as minister to Japan. BAR BAD IMMIGRANTS OUT Authorities Make Move to Stop Illegal Entry to Country at Land Frontiers. WASHINGTON. Dec. 4. The commission ers of Immigration who have been In con ference with Commissioner General Sar gent, concluded their work today. It Is understood, the department now has specific information as to points on the' ., . , , , i i.uuwu . ... . ........ grants have been crossing quite unmolested. Arrangements are therefore being made to close these runways and establish a more rigid inspection of the frontiers. The immigration bill now pending In the senate was also discussed and several sug- gestlons bearing principally on the admin- f , . ,,, t. , . . lstration features will be made to the lm- migration commission, which meets on Monday. Criirc nnrc I ITTI r uinoi OtlMAIt UUCO LI I I Lb WUnN Receives Bills, Petitions and Resolu- lions, Considers In Private and Adjourns. WASHINGTON. Dec. 4 Tbe senate was ! in session todav one hour and five minutes. I most of which time was spent behind closed doors. After the reception of a number of bills and petitions and the adop- tlon of a concurrent resolution calling on the president for the .papers in the Plus fund case. Mr. Beverldge read the resolu- tlons favoring fhe admission of Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one state. The senate then went into executive ses sion and at 1:50 adjourned until Monday. KEPT BUSY JHAKING HANDS President Receives .urses and Sanita rians la Audience at White House. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. President Roose velt today received the members of the Spanish War Nurses's association, now In session. Nearly 100 paid their respects to r .Uaa. ..a.-.., .. j,-.aa . a- the president, while h" shook hands with snd extended a pleasant personal greeting to each. Later in tbe day Dr. Walter Weyman presented to the presld nt about fifty dele gates to the Pan-American Sanitary con ference, now being held in Washington. ASTRONOMER SEES NEW COMET Washington Man Observes Celestial Traveler Discovered la France on Tuesday. WASHINGTON. Dec. 4. The United States naval observatory reports that W. W. Dinwiddle last night observed tbe comet discovered by Giacobinl at Nice op Tuesday. I The comet Is nearly on a straight line joining Trocyon and Sinus and Is about one-third of the distance from Trocyon to 81rlus. It is moving northwest. FA1RBLRY IS TO THE FORE Contest far Postmaitenhip ia Attracting a Large Amount of Attention. PUBLIC BUILDING BILL FOR YANKTON Some Talk that ( onbliitlon May Be Made to Clear Ip the Calendar of Bills When Site Has Beea Purchased. (From a Staff Correspondent.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. (Special Tele gram.) While the fight over the Falrbury poetofl.ee between Senator Dietrich and Congressman-elect H.nshaw has not reached any further than a simple dlsagreemtot atage as to the relative merits of the two candidates, Mr. Hlnshaw, recognizing the power that a United States senator hus, hmm l.nn tint nnlv I'jmIiii.,!,, Ia n at 1 Payne, but the fourth sssiatant postmaster general in behalf of bis candidate, Lew Shelley. He has also gone to the presi dent with his story, so that when the time comes to act upon Senator Dietrich's rec ommendation for the place there may be a thorough understanding of the circum stances. Mr. Hlnshaw claims the right of naming the postmaster at his home town, even though he is but congressman-elect. Senator Dietrich, on the other band. Is carrying out a pledge made to D. E. Thomp son more than a year and a half ago, and has sent In the name of B. W. McLucas for the postmastershlp at Falrbury, and savs that Mr. McLucas will be appointed. From an official of the Postofflce depart ment today It was learned that the prac tice of the department has heretofore been to recognize tho right of congressmen elect to make appointments In their sev eral districts. Usually senators are only too glad to rid themselves of these ap pointments, but there has been ' no case Just exactly similar presented to the Post office department as the situation over the Falrbury poetofD.ee. Equities Favor Hlnshaw. There are a great many equities In Mr. Hlnshaw's favor, according to the official above mentioned. The fact that he desires to maka the appointment at his home town and a town in which the senator does not live seems to be in his favor. That he has changed the complexion of the district from democracy to republicanism is also regarded favorably by the department, and as he will be a full fledged congressman after March 4 the department Is desirous of following Us usual practice and recognize the right of a congressman-elect to make recommenda tions. Of course, should Senator Dietrich decide to antagonize Mr. Shelley In case bis name Is sent to the senate for confirmation, Falr bury being a presidential office, it would go hard with Mr. Shelley, and should he make a personal fight against his confirmation it seems safe to assume that the senate would stand by a colleague as tt has done on num berless occasions in times past. It Is not thought however, that an open war will be Inaugurated, but that a compromise will be arranged so that Mr. McLucas may be ap pointed, and then after March 4 resign and allow Mr. Shelley to be appointed In bis stead. This would satisfy all factions at Falrbury and leave no sore spots behind. Turner Resolution to Die. Senators Gamble and Dubois, who were appointed a subcommittee on Senator ; Turners resolution directing an Investiga tion of the conduct and character of In dian schools and reservations as to Immo rality and disease growing out of charges which ex-Governor r MeConnell of Idaho made against the management of certain Indian schools, had a meeting today with the committee on Indian affairs, and after a full conference decided to make no report on the Turner resolution and to allow It to die a natural death. Gamble and Dubois conducted an investigation with a view of ascertaining whether a public lnvestlga tlon, such as was contemplated by Senator Turner's resolution, was Imperative, and after hearing a great many witnesses they reached a conclusion that there waa more smoke than fire in the charges made by MeConnell and the whole thing will prob ably be dropped. Appropriation for Yankton. Giaaia'.tB Cftmhta tnitov I tl t pnrl lliP Kill , ,,nnnnn . ,K. , appropriating $100,000 for the erection of a in. 1. . . j 1 j i O Ta aaaa . V. a fjuui.i; uuiiuiug ai iBiinivu, a. u-t uu iw site recently selected by the Treasury de partment at the southwest corner of Wal nut and Fourth streets.' Senator Gamble, speaking of the bill, said that there was a decided feeijng growing In favor of bring- In. In -n nmnlhn. nihil" t.ntlrilntr Kill In. . . . ..,.,, the purpose of appropriating money for . .., , .,., k,.ii. -, i . . . ... . . . , I publls building question at this session. If ! an omnibus bill Is not agreed upon Senator ; Gamble will form an offensive alliance with j a number of other senators and members i of congress who are similarly situated and j an effort made to get bills of a character such as the senator introduced today through congress before the close of the session. Committee Mahee Call. ! Captain Hull, chairman of tbe military aKalr,, committee of the house, together ',h hls colleagues, called today to pay thelr 'fPect President Roosevelt. The P","ldp'.t was exceedingly gracious and ald t0 the members of the committee that i Captain Hull was one of three men who had made posnlble a republican majority In the Fifty-eighth congress, to which the captain gallantly replied that It was tbe president who brought about the election of a republican congress and not tbe men of the national congressional committee. Beyond a mere exchange of formalities nothing of an Important character trans pired. Later the committee called in a body upon Secretary Root, who also spoke of the Innovation, and said he expected to see the members of the committee Individ ually later on and would take up subjects in which the War department was inter- ' ested. Cantain Hull was Informed today by the j secretary of the interior that the name of R. P. Clarkson. former editor of the Dea ! Unlna. n.riil.r trmiM Haa aiant t r tha un. ate as pension agent at Des Moines at the first meellnc of that body after the tern- porary recess. It was expected that the name would be sent to the senate today, but it probably did not reach the White House In time to be sent up with a large batch of nominations which were sent In. Collector Holds lp Laces. Assistant Secretary Spauldlng today wired Surveyor Lafayette Redmon at Des Moines for a report as to why be has held up a certain lot of laces consigned to Lederer, Straus V Co. ot Des Moines. The con signees have written to Representative Hull stating that tbe consignment of laces held up by Redmon are simply samples, having no commercial value. On the other (Continued on Second Page.) CONDITION 0FTHE WEATHER Forecast for Nebraska Snow Friday; Colder In West Portion. Saturday, Fair. Temperature at Omaha Yesterday i Hour. Dra. Hour. Pea. (V a. m it 1 p. nt...... ia a. nt o 8 v. n i:t T a. m 1 fl p. nt 14 H a. n o 4 p. m It a. m 1 Bp. m 14 1 a. nt 3 ( p. m 14 11 a. m 5 T p. iti 1" 11 m It H p. n IS t p. m 1U STOP TEAMSTERS' STRIKES Conciliatory labor Court Formed la Chicago Which May Avert Overt War. CHICAGO, Dec. 4 Under arrangements which have Just been perfected by the as sociated teaming Interests a clearing house for labor troubles has been formed. Ever since the teamsters formed Into unions their co-operation haa been sought by Watly every other labor organization in the time of trouble. The most serious case was when the freight handlers were out last summer and the commission drivers and truck teamsters struck In sympathy wtth them. In the fuutre when teamsters are re quested to take up the grievances of an other union they will refer the troubled union to the advisory board of employers. Here the matter In dispute will be taken up and the employer requested to appear and state his side of the case. An effort will be made to settle the matter In this hearing, but It this is not successful both parties will be requested to submit the rase to the teamsters' arbitration board and agree to abide by Its decision. Any union which refuses to take such a course,, will be deprived of the support of the teamsters, while if the employer shall prove unwilling he my be boycotted by the teamsters. John C. Drlsroll, the secretary-treasurer of the associated teaming Interests, by virtue of the new arrangement, will be come a sort of labor commissioner for Chi cago. FLOOD WATERS WASH NEGROES Louisiana River Hlscs Rapidly and Overflows Black Men's Homes. SHREVEPORT, La., Dec. 4. The Red river continues to rise at Shreveport and points above. It will go above the danger line here tonight. The bottom lands, in habited principally by negroes, are rapidly filling wtth water. A number of families have been forced to leave their homes and as a further rise of five feet Is predicted, hundreds are preparing to move to higher points. The gap in the levee at Belcher, twenty miles above Shreveport, Is reported to be widening. There appears to be no Imme diate danger to life, though there will be considerable suffering and heavy crop and live stock losses. Relief measures are being taken. Snow and rain continue to swell tbe waters. . No fesr Is entertained for the safety of Shreveport, except In those hol lows Inhabited by negroes, into which the water Is already backing. Captain Potter of Mempbla, United States engineer for tbe Third district, with a government relief boat is expected to ar rive tonight. NIECE IDENTIFIES THE DEAD Claims She Got Letter Returned for Murdered Aunt Indorsed by Prisoner. BOSTON, Dee. 4. The trial of J. Wilfred Blondin on the charge of wife murder Is beginning to take definite shape. It was established today that Mrs. Blondin was ! kllled etrangulation and her head was cut off after death with a sharp instru ment, probably a jack knife. The attorney general proceeded to Intro duce evidence to prove the Identity of the woman and to show that a letter written to her by her niece, Miss Casey, subse quent to the alleged murder was returned to the writer, bearing the Indorsement, "Gone to Canada," in Blondln's handwrlt- . lng. Some details In the life of the murdered woman were given by the niece and many articles of clothing were identified by her. Tbe cross-examination of Miss Casey was searching and the questions of counsel for the defense gave an Inkling of a possible defense. He tried to shake Miss Casey's positive Identification until It seemed as If he meant to show that Mrs. Blondin was etill alive. FIRST DREXEL MEDAL GIVEN Prof. Hetlprelrht Honored for Ilia Archaeological Research at Nippur. PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 4. Prof. H. V. IUilprcicht was toDlgbt awarded the Lucy Wharton Drexel medal for his excavations at Nippur and his publications on tbe sub ject by the University of Pennsylvania. The fund for the medals was established last month by Lucy Wharton Drexel, who donated $2,000, tbe Income of which Is to be expended for medsls to be awarded once a year for the best archaeological excavation or for the best publication based on archaeological excavations by an English-speaking scholar. STANLEY DETAINED AT HOME Cannot Attend Reciprocity Convention Called In Detroit at Hla Instance. TOPEKA, Kan., Dec. 4. Governor Stan ley has cancelled his engagement to ap I pear at the National Reciprocity League meeting in Detroit next Wednesday, where ...a.......,, a- -a-- ! be was to make an address ! He la a candidate for the United States ' senate and the campaign for that office Is Kvunlnr nn In ant'h an .ll.nl Ih.l b. ,. 1 cannot well leave the state at present, though be issued the call for the meeting that resulted in the organization of the league, Movements of Ocean Vessels Dec. 4. At New York Arrived Teutonic, Lixerpool; Zeeland. from Antwerp. At Liverpool Arrived Majestic. from from New York; Komun, from Montreal. Sailed Bohemia, for New York; Pretorlan, fur Halifax and t. John; Khnland. for Phil adelphia, via Queenstomn. At London Sailed Minnetonka, for New York. At Cherbourg Balled Kron Prlnx Wil li 'ni, from liremen and tiouthumplon, fur :.w York. At Queencitown Sailed Oceanic, for New York. At St. Vincent. C. V. Arrived Clumber nVrN7v"A7Avd-Trav.. from New York. DIE IN FIRE TRAP fourteen Guests Perish in Chicago Holocaust Another VISITORS TO STOCK SHOW VICTIMS Hotel Crowded with Sightseers, Who Bush to Street in Nightdress, TWO IOWA MEN KILLED AND ONE INJURED Smoke Overcomes Many and Others Leap to Death from Windows. REQUIRED ALTERATIONS NOT CARRIED OUT Protecting; Walls Ordered, but Propri etor Falls to Build Them, Claim ing as Contractors Saw Struc ture Ha Caanot Be Blamed. CHICAGO, Dec. 4. Fourteen persons among the scores crowded Into the Lincoln hotel at 176 Madison street, met death shortly before t o'clock this morning In a fire. Death came suddenly to a few, but with awful slowness to others, who were penned In the death trap and suffocated or burned to death. Some died In their rooms, some chanced all In jumping and lost, while oth ers were found In the hallways, where they had expired with their fingers dug Into the cracks of the floor. All the bodies were recovered, as the hotel was not destroyed. List of the Victims. M. M. HANDY, Janesville, Wis. H. K. WOOD. Lebanon. Ind. SAMUEL L. YOCUM, Davenport, la. J. C. YOCUM, Davenport, Ia. F. L. EWINO. Marietta. O. A. B. COON. Marengo, 111. T. V. SLOCUM. Waconda, 111. WARD LOWE. Sechlersvllle, Wis. F. W. CAREY, Bucyrus, O. ED TONER, Milwaukee. B. F. BOSWELL, lived nt hotel. THREE PERSONS. Including one whev died on the way to the hospital, bad not been identified up to noon. Among the injured was William M. Sny der of Loom City, Ia., bruised by filling downstairs. The victims were taken to Ralston's morgue, and all day the place was filled with anxious people interested in the dead or seeking to assure themselves ot the safety of friends or relatives. Building; Is Fire Trap. The building was a fire trap of the worst kind, according to experts. There were but two exits, a narrow stairway leading down the four floors of the building and an In complete fire escape In tbe rear. The fire started on the second floor, pre sumably from a lighted cigar dropped on the carpet. Guests occupying upper rooms in the front part of the hostelry, aroused by the screams ot a woman, were able to escape down tbe stairway, and about thirty people reached safety by means ot the fire escape. To add to the horror, however, this gave way whtle otbors were attempting to escape and three men were dasbod to death on the pavement of the alley below. For the people In tbe rear there was no escape save by Jumping. Tbe stairway wa in flames and tbe fire escape gone. Horror stricken faces appeared at the windows and cried for help. Firemen cried back to them to wait until nets or mattresses could be brought, and those who did In most cases escsped with slight injuries. But gome, crazed with fear. Jumped to the pavement and were either kllled or badly hurt. Fire Subdued With Difficulty. With great difficulty the fire, although comparatively a small one, was subdued, but it was some time before rescuers could penetrate the dense bank of smoke which filled the place. It was an awful scene which met their gaze. The dead or unconscious lying stretched on the floors, and In some cases on their beds. Some had attempted to slip on a garment before making for the street, but they had been overcome, although most of them were In their night clothing. Every store and hotel in the vicinity was filled with men and women who had escaped with only their nightgowns. Hotel Not Badly Damaged. Little damage was done to the hotel, but the smoke was so dense ihat many were overcome and died before assistance could reach them. Manr Jumped from the fourth story windows or tried to sava themselves by climbing down the fire escape In the front of the building, only to lose their grasp ou the cold Iron bar and fall to the street. The persons sleeping In the rear of the building ou the top floor had no chance for their lives. A narrow stairway leading to all floors of the structure was afire and the escape of the lodgers In the rear of the building was cut off. Firemen end policemen were not reticent In speaking ot what they witnessed at the ecene of the catastrophe. They con demned the building as a "fire trao." Ambulances and patrol wagons from all parts ot the city were called to the olace and the dead and Injured were oulcklv at tended to. All but fourteen of the guest at tbe hotel were out-of-town persons. Most of them came to Chicago to attend the International live stock show. House Filled with Guests. Up to 10 o'clock last night persons were taken In at the hotel and in every room or place where a cot could be erected guests were accommodated. At that time a large number of stockmen, with their families, were turned awsy. Shortly after the fire broke out the fire men rushed up tbe stairway and began the work of rescue. Men, women and children were curled down ladders, fire escapes and smoke-filled halls In one Instance a fire man of engine company No. 2 saved a woman from running to the rear of the building to certain death on the fourth floor, only to be forced to drop her from the third floor to the root ot the building at 17$ Madison street. The woman held her 7-year-old son in her arms. Eha waa Mrs. J. Sheppard and her son's name Is Frederick. She was then carried from the roof of tbe building to the Brevoort house, where a physician was summoned. It was found that their Inlurle were alisht. j Tbe buldiBir a constructed of brick, with i but one stairway leading to tbe , upper floors and a fire escape In the front ot the building, but a fire wall around ths freight elevator and other precautionary altera tions which bad been ordered bad not been carried out. E. C. Weber, the night clerk, was on of tbe first to discover smoke on the second floor. It Is believed that tbe Or tuapan In thla itApttnn nt fhm VmlMlnfr V'ebre,u"4 't'tem"1t ? j after be bad secured possession of tha