The Omaha Daily Bee.
ESTABLISHED ,IUXE 10, 1871.
OMAHA, TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 24, 1903 TEN PAGES.
SINGLE COPY THREE CENTS.
ROM WASHINGTON
fbicngo Holds Many Meetings in Great
Patriot's Memory.
SENATOR HOAR IS PRINCIPAL SPEAKER
Fays Earnest Tribute to Father of Country
Twice in the Day
EASTERN CITIES KEEP GENERAL HOLIDAY
Sew Tork and Boston Observe Anniversary
by Cessation of Work.
BIG BANQUET IS GIVEN IN ENGLAND
Dnke of Devonshire and Others In
alat on Friendly Relation Which
Now I'nlte Briton and Ita Oneo
Estranged Daughter.
CHICAGO, Feb. 23. Public schools, banks,
the Board of Trade, the Block exchange and
all city and county offices were closed today
Id honor of Washington's birthday and ap
propriate exercises were held by various
societies.
A meeting was held In the morning at
the Auditorium attended by the pupils of
the public schools, at which Frof. George E.
Vincent of the University of Chicago and
Miss Jane Addams of Hull House wore thu
principal speakers.
In the afternoon Senator Hoar of Massa
chusetts addressed a large audience com
posed of the members of the Union League
club and their friends. The singing of pa
triotic songs by the audience formed part
of the exercises.
A banquet was given this evening by
the Union League club at which President
Bancroft proposed the toast, "The Orator
J of the Day, to which Senator Hoar re
Uponded. Frank W. Gunsaulus. President Eliot
" f Hs
arvard and Blshoo Gailnr of Tennessee
' were too other speakers.
Sew York Keeps Holiday.
NEW TORK. Feb. 23. While there was
no official celebration, today was generally
obrerved aa a holiday and there was a
very generous display of bunting. Tho
public schools, federal, slate, county and
city offices, exchanges, banks, etc., were
closed and In the down town district llt
i tin b'irilnetis was transacted. Moat of the
retail stores were closed. The weather
sas bright.
Military Veterans Forgather.
BOSTON, Mass. Feb. i3. Army veterans'
reunions, patriotic meetings and other
events were Included In the observance of
Washington's birthday In this city.
General William Boj'h, commander of
the Salvation Army, addressed large audi
ences In Tremont temple.
The holiday was quit generally observed
In the larger cities of New England.
Britons Aid Celebration.
LONDON. Feb. 23. The dinner given to-"
'tlghr by thff-inerlivwi society hr honor of
Washington's birthday waa the occasion
for a brilliant assemblage.
The duke of Devonshire and Lord Lon
dondeny, members of the cabinet, offl-
daily voiced the good will of the British
government, while such representative Eng
lishmen as the lord mayors of London and
Bristol, the lord provost of Glasgow, Lord
Strathcona and Lord Rothschild, and the
following members of the house of com
mons: Sir Charles Dilke, J. H. Oalztel, Sir
Thomas Dewar, Sir Edwin Lawrence, Eb
enrier Parkes, Sir Gilbert Parker and Jo
seph Welton, all gave expression to their
hearty wishes.
Among the well known Americana pres
ent were Ambassador Choate, Consul Gen
eral Henry Clay Evans, Standford Newell,
minister to The Netherlands; John Barrett.
T. W. Crldler, Lord Fairfax, Marshall Hal
stead, Colonel Hunsiker, Halsey C. Ives of
the St. Louis exposition. Captain Piper,
t deputy police commissioner of New York;
all the United States embassy staff and
many foreign representatives of the St.
Louis exposition, ,
Slgnor Marconi was also present and was
most warmly received.
The duke of Devonshire, proposing the
toast of the president, referred to Mr.
Roosevelt as a man who bad made his mark
M succescfut civil service reformer, a
,Qilnt military leader and an eminent
ttfsman. in whom he saw an Intelligent
a earnest friend of England.
"Never In anv nrevlous time." aaid the
duke, "have Anglo-American relatione been i
more cordial. Both peoples are in fairly
good humor with themselves, and so It Is
unlikely they should be In a bad humor
with each other.
"I welcome the tendency ou the part of
the United States to take a larger and
keener Interest In affairs outside the Amer
ican continent."
War W'oald Be Error.
Ambassador Caoate. following In the
same strain, declared that war on any sub
ject between Great Britain and America
would be not only a great calamity, but
an unspeakable crime.
Mr. Francis eloquently described the mo
tive and scope of the St. Louis exposition.
Ho gave detailed figures, showing the care
with which the money was expended to
make every phase of the exposition per
fect snd useful to the European exhibltora
and vUttors,
He referred to the first great Interna
tional exhibition in London. Since then
England had always been fully represented
at every universal exposition. He urged
that the country should not be behind band
at St. Louis.
"No guest." he added, "will be more wel
come. I feel some delicacy in referring to
our consanguinity, neither would It be be
coming in the president of this universal
exhibition to designate aa the aeat of honor
the place at the table to be occupied by
th- mother country. You need no assur
ance, however, from the exposition manage
ment, from the bead of our government or
from the American people that do one could
y bnor us more nor anyone be given prered
kicace over you. We feel Justified in tre-
dieting that the attendance will not only
be universal from within the limits' of our
country, extensive and populous as It Is,
but thai clllsens of every civilized country
tn the globe will visit us In representative
numbers."
John Barrett proposed the health of the
"British exhibitor" and in the course of
bis remarks urged the United Kingdom to
make of the St. Louis exposition another
Durbar.
Toner Presides la Berlin.
BERLIN. Feb 2 J. Two hundred Ameri
cans in this city celebrated Washington's
birthday with a supper and dance al thu
Kaiserhoff. Ambassador Tower preside!
A must, al entertainment preceded the dan-
ting.
QUEEN RECEIVES AMERICANS
Italian Kln' Wife thai lout vUU
slaltors From Across
the "ran.
ku.u., Feb. 23. Quern. v.A-vday re-
eclved
iu private auaicme . -vr-
Mm. Frank Mnrrl. . It,
leans
cago, Miss Halstead Boyland. Mrs. an
Brldgeham and Mrs. and Miss Gaw of Th..;
adelphia, Mr. and Mrs. Osy of Homi, Miss
Harrison of Baltimore, Miss Pendleton, sis
ter of the former United States minister
to Berlin, Mr. and Mrs. Norton of Berlin,
Mrs. George Lea Peabody of Boston, Wil
liam Appleton Potter, brother of Bishop
Potter; Miss Marlon H. Simmons. Leonard
M. Thomas, second secretary of the United
States embassy here'; Robert M. Wlnthrop,
secretary to the United States legation at
Berlin; Mr. and Mrs. W. Hollsn, Mrc.
A. P. Woodworth and Miss Elbel Brownson
of New York.
The four last named were also presented
to the queen-mother. All tho Americans
afterward participated in a court ball,
which assumed special significance, as It
was the first to which foreigners have
been admitted during the present reign.
The queen conversed at length with the
Americans present, inquiring of Mr. Potter
after his brother, Bishop Potter, whom,
she said, she knew well by reputation.
Queen Helena congratulated Secretary
Thomas on his appointment to the em
bassy at Rome and chatted at some length
with Mrc. Avery about children.
The bell was a great function. Tho
members of the diplomatic corps and the
leaders of Roman society wero among the
2,000 guests.
WHOLE ISLAND SNOWBOUND
Newfoundland Cannot Even Estl
tlmsts When Trains Will
. Reach neatlaatlons.
ST. JOHNS, N. F.. Feb. 23. The trains
which were snowbound In the Interior
having secured relief, are now moving
backwards to their starting points. It
was impossible for the trains to attempt
to cut their way through the snowdrifts
across the summit of the Island.
Another blizzard raged last night, add
ing to the snow drifts. An eastern train
with forty-three passengers reached Nor
rls Arm this afternoon, and is now on Its
way to this city, but It Is unknown when
It will arrive, owing to a rain atorm and
a subsequent frost coating the tracks with
Ice. A train which left St. Johns this
morning was unable to proceed half a mile
from the station - owing to the Ice, and
had to return this afternoon.
The western snowbound express Is slowly
retreating toward Bay of Islands with
fifty-five persons aboard. It was deemed
unwise to keep the train near the summit
owing to a possible long delay before that
section of the railroad Is clear. The pas
sengers will be housed at Bay of Islands.
The passengers of the express, which also
carries large American and Canadian In
coming mails, aro likely to be detained at
Bay of Islands for some time.
KING EDWARD GIVES LEVEE
President Francis ( It. Lonls Fair
- "rrsaaai ;- IS ' rronlui
Prlvnta Aadlance.
LONDON. Feb. 23. King Edward held
the first levee of the season In the throne
room of Buckingham palace. Ambassador
Choate and the other members of the
United States embassy were among the
diplomats present. The king was attended
by the prince of Wales, most of the cabinet
ministers and all the great officers of
state. Mr. Choate presented among others
P. R. Francis, president of the St, Louis
exposition.
After the levee the king sent to ask Mr.
Francis if he would like to be received In
private audience and receiving an affirma
tive reply promised to fix a date.
Mr. Francis will attend today's debate In
the House of Commons on War Secretary
Brodreck's army scheme.
During an Informal conversation which
Mr. Francis had with Lord Lansdowne on
the subject of the St. Louis exposition, the
foreign secretary manifested keen Interest
In the fair and promised it every possible
support.
Mr. Francis anticipated an early an
nouncement of the apointment of a royal
commission to arrange for Great Britain's
participation In the exposition.
PLAGUE NOT YET STAYED
Mnsatlan Prisoners Immirrd In Boll
. Ring While Jail Is Dis
infected. MAZATLAN, Mexico. Feb. 23. There
was only one death from bubonic plague
today and that at the observation station.
There are thirty-five patients at the laz
aretto, with the condition of eight doubt
ful. Two hundred persons are now Iso
lated. The bull ring is now being used as
a prison, as the jail Is undergoing disin
fection. Among the new cases two occurred
among the sentries at the military hos
pital and one was that of a servant girl,
who died a few hours later. Her employ
ers, who live next door to the governor, are
now In quarantine.
Governor Canedo Is active in all pre
ventive measures and - shows great per
sonal courage. He refuses to leave the
city and go back to the state capitol umtl
the plague la stamped out.
TO WED AUSTRIAN COUNT
Bister of the Khedive Ohtnlas Divorce
front Egyptian Heabaud and
Goes to Vienna.
CAIRO. Feb. 23. Princess DJemll Tous-
! soun, sister of the khedlve and wife of
I Prince DJemll Toussouu, recently msde an
unsuccessful attempt al stlf-destructlon by
taking poison. The act is said to have
been prompted by Jealousy.
Tba princess subsequently left Egypt on
board of one of the royal yacht a, refuaing
to see her husband. Her highness went
by way ot irieeie to Vienna, wnere it is
ssid she Is abct't to wed an Austrlsn count.
A, divorce has already been granted.
BALFOUR GIVES ASSURANCES
Snya House Will Have Ample Op pur.
taalty Discuss Merrnntlle
Murine Arrangement.
'LONDON. Feb. 23. Replying to a ques
tion In the House of Commons today, Ger
ald Balfour, psvaldent of the Board ol
Trade, aaid the general lines of the agree
ment between .the British government and
the International Mercantile Marine com
pany had been determined upon and the
bouse would be given an opportunity to dis
cuss the arrangements before it was finally
concluded.
HAS HOPES FOR IRELAND
Lord Dunraven Considers Land Question as
Good as Settled.
ALL DEPENDS ON TERMS OF COMING BILL
-over n men t Follows Suggestions
ynlnt Conference l.i( Con-
t.iord Friction Will Certainly
End to Good of Empire.
LONDON, Feb. 23. The earl of Dunraven
wss Interviewed tonight regarding the re
sults of the Irish landlords' and tenants'
conference In Dublin, of which he wss
chairman. He spoke hopefully regarding
the prospects of legislation.
Lord Dunraven said:
The u tern nee of King Kdward and of
British public men. the temper of Ireland,
the reception of the concurrent report -by
the public and the action of the govern
ment since are all favorable. Indications
also point to the sucrees of the govern
ment Irish land hill, which, if it contains
a Just and generous offer, will mske the
first impres.ilon,, on which all depends. The
Mil, if drawn on the lines suggested by
the conference, will Insure a tn settle
ment ana remove the cause of friction In
Ireland which Is reacting unfavorably, not
only on Oreat Britain, but throughout the
empire and on our kindred In the United
State.
Lord Dunraven replied to the adverse
criticism of the report, saying the con
ferees could not lay down a specific formula
to be adoupted. They were obliged to deal
with the matter on the broadest lines. In
considering both the Interests of the nation
and those of the Individual landlords and
tenants. He did not think that the gov
ernment would be able to specify a strict
formula wnlch, if attempted, would con
fuse tho Issues. The minor details of any
plan based on voluntarism must be left to
the purchasers and sellers. The confer
ence only sought to formulate the condi
tions under which It would be possible to
complete the transfer of the land within
a reasonable period.
His lordship concluded by saying he did
not think that the demand on the state
treasury would be disproportionate to the
benefits gained.
GOWDY BEGINS AN INQUIRY
Conanl General to ' Make Official In
vestigation Concerning Stolen
Property of the Fairs.
PARIS, Feb. 23. Consul General Gowdy
has opened an official investigation Into
the charges that valuable furs which be
longed to the late Mrs. Charles L. Fair
were changed after her death for Interior
articles.
A box containing the furs had been re
ceived here from San Francisco, and the
seals were broken today by Mr. Gowdy, In
the presence of all those who bad a part
In handling the articles up to the time of
their shipment to America. .
Edmond Kelly, representing the Fair es
tate, and M. Chanel and Grumwaldt, who
appraised the original garments as being
worth. $31, 200, were among those present.
When the box was opened, a short cloak
and a mutt were, .disclosed, both of juicer
ordinary appearance.' ' " ' -"
M. Chanel said positively that the ar
ticles were not those he had appraised.
M. Grumwaldt waa not so positive whether
the articles were the same. Representa
tives of two forwarding companies traced
every movement of the peerage from the
time It was turned over to them.
Messrs. Gowdy and Kelly questioned the
various parties and later Mr. Gowdy re
quested the appraisers to submit tomorrow
a written appraisal of the value of the
arttclea shown today.
CANADA HANGS ARBITRATION
Remonstrates Against Appointments
Mnde by United States to
Boundary Commission.
OTTAWA. Ont., Feb. 23. The Alaska
boundary commission was discussed at a
meeting of the cabinet today.
In an Interview tonight a cabinet min
ister sale that while It might not be proper
to say that a protest had been made by
Canada against the nomination of Senators
Turner and Lodge to represent the United
States, a remonstrance had been made on
the ground that Canada was not being
fairly treated in the matter.
When Canada gave way to arbitration
by a tribunal It waa with the understanding
that three Judges of the United States
supreme court would be appointed to sit
o the case with British and Canadian
Judges of repute on the other side.
The United States, he said, has failed to
carry out this clsuse. Instead, the United
States government has appointed, particu
larly In Senators Lodge and Turner, men
who csnnot be called "impartial Jurists of
repute," as required by the treaty. On
j the contrary, they are looked upon as men
wno are strongly antagonistic to Canada's
claims. Until an answer Is obtained to
this remonstrance Canala will not name tta
commissioners.
SAN D0MING0 GIVES WAY
Agrees to Settle American Claims as
Asked by tailed Slates
Minister.
SAN DOMINGO, Feb. 23 The Domlni
clan government has notified the United
States minister, Mr. Powell, that It will
accept his proposition in regard to the
Roa claim and has requested further time
to consider the claim of the Clyde com
pany. The treasury office officials here have
paid Mr. Powell $1S.750 aa the first in
stallment on the Improvement company's
claim, amounting to $4,500,000. The Dom
inican government has agreed to pay dur
ing the first year 1225.000 la monthly in
stallments of $17.6iiO.
The political situation In Santo Domingo
Is not settled. Dlsturbancea have oc
curred at Bara Hora on the aouth coast.
The minister or war has assumed com-
mand of the troops.
RAILROAD GETS FOUR SHIPS
Canadian ParlOn Cloaca Megotlatloas
for Four Vessels of Klder.
Dempster t'ompuny.
LONDON, Feb. 23. The negotiations for
the purchase by the Canadian Pacific of four
Beaver line ateamers from Elder-Dempster
were concluded today. The price paid Is
not yet disclosed, but it Is said to be about
$7,500,000.
The deal Is regarded here as having an
importan. bearing on the proposed fanadiau
fist mall service, as It probably will elimi
nate lb tender of El lor-Dempster A Co.
therefor and leave the Canadian Pacific
la a belter position to secure the contract.
MAY YET BE MEAT MERGER
E. E. Bobbin of tho Omaha Packing
Company Slated tor Chairman
f the Board.
CHICAGO, Feb. 23. The Post today says:
Plans practically are complete for the merg
ing of the Interests of the firms that com
prise the beef trust. Unless something un
foreseen arises April 1 will see the official
announcement of the Incorporation of a se
curities holding company which eventually
may control the meat business of the world.
Unlike the popular Idea of the packers',
merger, however, for the time being It Is
not to embrace everything In sight, nor Is
It to be capitalized at $500,000,000, as an
nounced for the United Statea Packing com
pany. Further, tho plans contemplate no
friction with the federal courts because of
the recent decision of Judge Grosscup
against the packing house combination.
The nucleus of the great combination of
worldwide Interests Is to be the merger of
the smaller Independent plsnts bought last
year by the big packers preparatory to the
general merger planned at that time.
The securities to be held by the new
corporation are those f he G. H. Ham
mond Packing company, the Omaha Pack
ing company, the An'o-Am. rlcan-Fowler
companies, the St. Louis Beef company and
the United States Dressea t'eef company,
and possibly several of the outside stock
yards now controlled by Chlcngo Interests.
Chicago will be the headquarters of the
combination, but as far as the publ'c Is
concerned there will ! no Immediate
change In the operation of tan Indlv! lual
plants under the new ro&jme. It Is planned
to lead the new securities company with
present officials of the individual com
panies, Instead of the big nackers them
selves, or those, immediately associated
with them In the "Rig Six" companies.
The slate of officials for the securities
company has been preaperd, and Is said to
contain the names of J. C. Melvin and J.
P. Lyman of the Hammond Packing com
pany; Frederick Cowan ' rf the Anglo
American, and E. F. Bobbins of the Omaha
racking company. Probably ihe last named
will be chairman of the boa id of directors.
It is not known definitely what will be the
capital of the securities-holding company,
but it Is thought the figures will be tn ex
cess of the purchase price of the companies
to be combined, probably something like
$50,000,000. :
DARROW REFUSES '; TO RUN
Finally Decides Sot to Contest May
oralty of Chicago with Car
ter Harrison.
CHICAGO, Feb. 23. Clarence S. Darrow
tonight announced that he would not make
the race for mayor of Chicago.
In giving reasons he said for many years
he had represented laboring ieople In their
litigation and he felt that he could not
abandon this work for that of the position
of mayor of Chicago, He dvlared that. In
company with John Mltchf ;l and Samuel
Compera, he had arranged vome measures
intended to benefit organize labor through
out tho country, and did I t feel that ho
should give this up to ek a political
office.
- Ha qclar4 klrnovJt In itnvCT 'oJfr-inV.ntiii-t
nlclpal ownership of public ' utilities, . but
said that before such things could be
brought about in Chicago there must be
state legislation, and that he could further
this by his position In the legislature of
Illinois more than by anything be could
do as mayor, where he would be compelled
to enforce the laws on the statute books.
SIX FOUND FROZEN STIFF
Three Mexican Women with Their
Children Snccnmb to Texan
Cold.
GOLIAD, Tex., Feb. 23. The bodies of
six Mexicans, three women and three chil
dren, were found frozen to death on the
river eight miles above here.
The dead:
ISABEL RODRIGUEZ, 40.
ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ, 2f
ANITA RODRIGUEZ.
ALAM RODRIGUEZ.
ROSE REGRIGUZ.
HELEN VASQUEZ, 13.
The bodies were lying close together,
their position showing that the women
had tried to protect the children. They
were with friends on the south side of
the river on Wednesday and were put across
in a skiff by Tomas Vasques after which
they started for a camp on the north side
of the river, two or three miles distant.
It Is supposed they lost , their way.
NEGRO ENTITLED TO DINNER
Court Motets Pullman Company In
rM for Refusing Blnck
Man Food.
TRENTON, N. J., Feb. 23. In the United
States court here today a Jury awarded $500
to Rev. Henry P. Johnston of Camden, a
colored man who sued the Pullman Cat
company for $10,000.
Johnston Is editor of the Christian Ad
vocate and on March 25 last, while riding
In a Pullman car between Richmond Va.,
and Washington Bought service In the din
ing car. He claimed that he was refused
food by different subterfuges, ' notwith
standing he applied threee times. Finally,
when all the passengers had been served
and the employes were eating, he was of-
fered food.
NEGROES THREATEN LYNCHING
One Black Shoots Another nnd Mny
Be Strung Ip
Soon.
ENID, Okl.. Feb. 23. Black Pearl, a
negro pugilist, shot Jim Jones, a negro
from Topeka, In a saloon last night.
Pearl and Jonea had engaged in a fight
earlier in the evening and at 1 Pearl made
a tour around the city with a double-barreled
shotgun. Finding Jones In a saloon,
ha emptied both barrels Into his body and
ten gave himself up. Excitement runs
high among the negroes here, and talk
anions inrm indicates mat mey will at
tempt to lynch Pearl.
SLAYS SELF WITH FeNKNIFE
St. Joseph W'euiaa Gashes Throat
While Despoadeat Over
111 Health.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Feb. 23 Mrs. Eliz
abeth Barr. wife of George W. Barr, a
prominent buslneas man, was found dead
In her room at the family realdence. Tod
South Ninth street, with her throat cut.
A penknife covered with blood waa In her
right band.
Mra. Barr bad Lee a in ill b:alth fur Jiue
lima.
STATE GETS U PENALTIES
Supreme Court Affirms Decision in the Bock
Island Case.
EMASCULATES PUBLIC BUILDING BILL
Senate lues the Pruning Knife nn
the Measure Introduced in tho
House by Mercer'a Com
mittee. Krom a Staff Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. (Special Tele
gram.) The supreme court today ren
dered a decision through Justice Shires af
firming, with costs, the decision ot the
appeal from the circuit court of the United
States in the case of Frank N. Prout, At
torney General of Nebraska, appellant,
versus James C. Starr, Samuel W. Allerton
and the Chicago, Rock Island Pacific
Railroad Company. The case lnvloves s
suit instituted by th9 state of Nebraska
March 10, 1900, to recover from the rail
way company $310,000 as penalties for vio
lations of the maximum freight law of Ne
braska which went- Into effect June g, 1893.
fixing minimum rates for the transportation
of freight upon railroads in NebraFka, re
quiring carriers to reduce their charges
to limits prescribed by statute, and im
posing penalties for violations of lis pro
visions. The decision which was affirmed
was adverse to the state.
Cuts Ont Appropriations.
The senate today passed an omnibus
building bill, but It makes the house bill,
which Is still on the calendar, look llks
a past participle. The measure passed
substantially as reported to the senate by
Senator Fairbanks. The house bill re
ported by Representative Mercer contained
considerable "pap" In the wny of new
legislation, and Immediately after Its pro
visions became known there were protests
among the guardians of the treasury of
the popular branch of congress and Its
managers decided It best to permit tho
senate commiftee to deal first and cut,
trim and emasculate at will. This program
was carried Into effect and many cltiea
whose r3presentatlves on the house side
gained recognition for appropriations for
sites for new public buildings are lett out
in the amended bill as amended and
and adopted by the senate.
The public building bill as passed by
the senate will have the sanction of the
leadens of the he use snd pass that body
this week. The bill as reported to the
house by Representative Mercer, called for
an appropriation ot $10,000 to purchase
sites for York and Grand Island and also
$8,000 each for sites for postofflces at Web
ster City and Mason City, la. The senate
struck these Items out tn spite of the faci.
that Senator Dietrich and the senators from
Iowa were most persistent in urging their
adoption.
Lincoln Gets In..
The senate retained the house item rela
tive to the public building at Lincoln, Neb.
Tho new federal building at Lincoln Is
scheduled, under the bill passed today, to
eost $350,000. It also provides for the sale
of ths present postefllce to the city of Lin
coln at a pnjca ot less than $50,000.
The amount of the appropriation- for the1
federal building at Council Bluffs Is in
creased from $247,847 to $253,847. The sec
retary of the treasury Is authorized to
purchase a tract of ground lying Imme
diately west of the ground now owned by
the United States. The ground authorized
to be thus purchased Is thirty-seven feet
wide and extends south from Broadway to
the alley and the secretary is not permit
ted to pay more than $6,000 for this strip of
realty.
The senate bill also provides for the ex
penditure of $170,000 for the erection of a
postofflce, courthouse and land office at
Pierre, S. D.
The appropriation for a public building
at Yankton was Increased by the senate from
$50,000 to $80,000.
A provision Is also made to Increase
the limit of cost of the public building at
Centervllle. Ia.. to $40,000.
A paragraph In the senate bill also car
ries $179,000 for new building at Evanston,
Wyo. i
Ask Place for Merces.
While today was to all Intents and pur
poses a holiday for average citizens of the
District of Columbia, President Roosevelt
and congress worked overtime, so to speak.
The president had really a busier day than
usual,, and his congressional callers were
even mora numerous than for some t'me.
A delegation from the house of representa
tives was on band bright and early, repre
sentatives from twenty states to ask Mr.
Roosevelt to give a good position In the
government service to Representative
David H.Mercer, who Is about to retire
from the house after a long service there.
' Representative Burkett of Lincoln pre
sented the name of Mr. Me?cer to the pres
ident, requesting that the outgoing con
gressman from the Omaha district might
be given something equally as good in
point of salary, at least, as that of con
gressman. President Roosevelt replied Jocularly that
If the needs of Nebraska were to be con
Mcred aa taking In a territory from Mary.
! land to North Dakota, there should be no
special difficulty In landing a good Job for
somebody.
Representative Burkett replied that he
did not want any appointment which might
be graciously given to Mr. Mercer to be
charged up against the general political
patronage pot of Nebraska.
The president said that he generally sup-
posed that when an appointment was sought
on bchair ot any citizen oi a sovereign
state he generally concladed that state
would be willing 13 hsve such appointment
chargeable to it.
Representatives Sibley, Lacey, Cushman
and Cromer made speeches commending
David H. Mercer, but really beyond a sort
ot general "Jolly" the president gave no in
dication as to what he may think ot the
onslaught upon htm by Mercer's friends.
The committee was quite modest In niak
f Ing suggestions to the president, merely
j naming such good things as the appraiser
1 ship at the port of New York, a position
- on the Isthmian Canal commission, as
' sociate Justice of the iumt court of the
District of Columbia and a Justiceship on
the court of claims. The ro"iniitte prob
i ably could not think, on the spur of the
moment, of any other vacant places Mercer
could be Induced to accept.
Favorable Report on Rosebud Treaty,
Senator Gamble today secured a favorable
report at the bands ot the committee on
Indian affairs on the amended treaty to
open up a portion of the Rosebud agency
to settlement.
The South Dakota delegation called upon
Epeaker Henderson today regarding the
Rosebud treaty and urged upon him the
Importance of permitting the amended bill
to come up. It is believed' that, under the
terms cf the bill as todny reported to the
senate, wbleh are identical with thoaa of
(Continued en Second Page.)
CONDITION OF THE WEATHER
Forecast for Nebraska Fair Tuesday. Kx
cept ,Snow In Southwest Portion; Wed
day Fair.
Temperatare at Omaha yrsterdayl
Hour.
Deg.
Hour.
Deg
S a.
41 a.
T a.
t a.
ft a.
to n.
11 a.
.11
:vi
Kit
U7
x
XT
ItU
II it
i .....
JIT
iiM
at
:
;ui
st
UN
lit
ENTERTAINMENTS LAST NIGHT
Several Society Affairs, Where There
Waa Speaking, Muale and
Dnnelng.
The thirty-ninth anniversary of thj
founding of Pythlanlsm wss appropriately
observed Monday evening by members of
Nebraska lodge No. 1 In tbelr lodge rooms
In the Continental block. The hsll was
filled- with nearly 400 knights and their
guests, who enjoyed nn excellent musical
and literary program. Included in the
numbers were an address of welcome
which was delivered by Chancellor Com
mander Slnbaugli, who spoke upon the ob
jects and aims ot the order; a violin and
piano duet by Master and Miss Slsbsugh;
a piano solo by Mr. Latovsky; a vocal solo
by Miss jCadv. and a 'cello solo by S. R.
Latovsky. One of the plessing features of
the evening was an address made by J. C.
Lalng of Denver, Colo. The speaker sent
a phonograph record of his discourse, which
was reproduced and wss very warmly re
ceived. Prominent among those present was Col
cnel George H. Crager, the father of Pyth
Isntsm In the west, who brought the first
lodge of Pythlans to this city, the first or
gsnized west of the Allegheny mountains,
and who came to Omaha from Philadelphia.
He Is also the first member In the Veteran
Pythlans' association. Included in that as
sociation, which Is composed of members
who hove been Associated with the order for
twenty years or more In this city, are
Messrs. J. Q. Goss, O. 8. Wood, M. H. Hoer
ner. Fred Herzke, W. W. Bingham, J. Had
field. A. CarStens, S. Trostler, all of whom
were present at the celebration. The even
ing's pleasures concluded with refreshments
and a dance.
The Catholic Order of Foresters, assisted
by the Woman's Catholic Order of Forest
ers, held another of their regular enter
tainments and dancing parties In the
1 hurst ori Rifles' armory Monday evening,
which was largely attended. During the
evening a vocal solo was rendered by Miss
May O'Brien, which was followed by a one-
act farce entitled "A Regular Fix." which
was given by the Lyceum Theatrical com
peur. . During the evening refreshments
were served by the ladles, after which
dancing was enjoyed by nearly 125 couples.
Yah-mun-dah-sls tribe of Red Men gave
an entertainment Monday evening In its
hall In the Continental block, which was
very largely attended and which consisted
of an interesting musical and literary pro
gram. During the evening an address of
welcome was delivered by Attorney Ritchie,
which was responded to by C. K. Holiday.
The program v was followed by dancing.
The seventeenth annual ball of Overland
lodge No. 123, Brotherhood ot Locomotive
Firemen, was held Monday evening In
Washington hall and proved one ot the
most enjoyable events ever given under
the auspices of the lodge. The hall was
thronged with nearly 150 oouples. F. K.
Chandler officiated as master of ceremonies.
CAPTURES A BOLD FUGITIVE
Officer Baldwin Arrests Man Wanted
In Minnesota. After Lively
Chase.
Herman Hofmelster, alleged burglar, con
fessed Jail breaker and fugitive from Jus
tice, was captured Monday afternoon by
nuicer Dan Baldwin after an exciting chase
in the factory of the Bemls Bag company.
The chase ended when the fugitive was
discovered In the dark recesses of the
boiler and engine room. He Is now In the
city Jail awaiting to be transported to
Morrlstown, Minn., where be Is wantad.
When Hofmelster was brought to the sta
tion he was immediately examined by Cap
tain Moatyn, to whom be made a com
plete confession.
He stated that he and a friend entered
a mill at Sheffield, Minn., by breaking out
the office window, and stole twenty sacks
of flaxseed, which they sold for $22. The
sale of the plunder result'ed tn their ar
test. They were arraigned on the charge
of burglary, bound over for trial and taken
to the county Jail at Faribault, from which
Hofmelster recently esped. He arrived
In this city about a week ago and found
employment with the Bemls Bag com
pany. When placed under arrest by Officer
Baldwin Hofmelster asked .permission to
go to an upper floor of the building and
change bis clothing. While ascending the
stairs he msde a bold dash and quickly
disappeared behind a large stack of bags.
The officer knew that his escape could
only be through one door. This he guarded,
notifying others to watch the windows.
The employes took up the chase and after
considerable search the prisoner was found
In the boiler room.
Captain Mostyn will notify the Faribault
sheriff that his man Is In custody here. It
Is thought a reward Is on Hofmelser's head.
When led to bis cell yesterday afternoon
Hofmelster Informed Jailer Kirk that he
would never be taken back to Faribault
alive, as he would commit suicide at the
first opportunity. He Is being cloaely
watched.
JAIt RUNS OUT OF COAL
New Mexico Conncll Protests Against
Mine Owners Who Fall to
Supply Fuel.
SANTA FE, N. M., Feb. 28. The coal
famine Is growing serious In this city. The
penitentiary baa been out of coal for six
weeks. A special meeting of the city
council has been called to protest against
the action of the coal companies which
have coal mince only twenty-five miles from
Santa Fe.
Movement of Ocenn Vesaela Feb. 23.
At New Tork Arrived: Belgravla. from
Hamburg; I -a C'humpaKnu. from Havre;
huhemlaii. from Liverpool; Kt. Paul, from
Southampton. Sailed: lan astrian, for
Liverpool.
At Gibraltar -Passed: Lahn, from Genoa
and Naples, fur New vork; Karamrnla,
from Napks, for New York.
At Plymouth Sailed: Patricia, for New
York.
At Southampton Arrived: Finland, from
Krv York, lor AntWfrp.
At Uverpool Arrived: Ivernla. from New
Y rk via Queensiown.
At Malta Arrived: Kaliwrln Maria The
rn from New York, for Alexandria, etc.,
on a TLile.
At ;iai-ow Arrived: Pomeranian, from
New Yoik.
At Hun'bnrg Arrived: l)end'-rah. from
, Tatoma, am San FrantUcu via London.
FILE REVENUE BILL
Special Committee Submit! Result of a
Month's Labor to House.
NEXT PROBLEM IS "WILL IT BE PASSED?"
Committee Itself Not Entirely Unanimout
in Favor of Measure.
SOME CORPORATIONS ARE DISSATISFIED
1
Railroads Believed to Favor It, but Atti
tude is Hot Certain.
STATE BOARD FIXES THEIR VALUATION
Taxation nf Terminals Is as Badly
Mnddled aa Ever nnd Ho Organ
lard F.ffort Apparent to
Push the Bill.
(From a Staff Correspondent.
LINCOLN. Feb. 23. (Special.) Now for
revenue legislation. The revenue bill was
finally introduced in the house todsy. It
was placed on the desk of the chief clerk
this morning and read for the first time
by the clerk this afternoon. The reading of
the measure, which comprises over $0,000
words, consumed two hours. The bill U
entitled:
"A bill for an act to provide a system
of revenue and to repeal articles 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5 of sections 4, E, 6, 7, S, 9, 10, 11 and
12 of article vlt of chapter Ixxvll Com
piled Statutes of Nebraska tor the year
1901."
It was Introduced by J. A. Douglas,
George L. Loom Is, W. T. Thompson. W.
G. Sears. F. A. Sweezy, O. J. Warner and
W. H. Wilson, the special house commit
tee appointed by Speaker Mockett to act
Jointly with Senators Brown, Pemberton,
Fries, Saunders, Day, Anderson and Rey
nolds In tho framing of a revenue bill. Tbe
committee has been at work about a month.
It Is the belief that the bill, after lta sec
ond reading, will go directly to the general
file and not be held in the house revenue
committee.
Xot 1'nnnlnious for Bill.
The fate of this bill Is decidedly uncer
tain. That there Is opposition to It cannot
be doubted. Even the committeemen who
framed and Introduced It are not wholly
agreed as to all Its provisions. Then tt ia
a notable fact that the ultra-revisionists
are far from satisfied. It remains to be
seen, however, what numerical strength
this faction possesses. Certain corpora
tions, falling to obtain 'he concessions
sought for In this bill, are known to be ar
rayed against It. For Instance, the street
railway and electric light concerns, which
wanted to bo taxed on their tangible prop
erty and gross receipts as franchises, the
same as the telephone, telegraph snd ex
press companies, are displeased. The rail
roads, according to railroad lobbylata, ar1
satisfied with the measure. Whether the
statements thus made public are reliable
to not fully knows. It Is believed the rail
roads would Just as soon and . a llttlo
rather see no revenue bill passed and for
that reason will conduct an underhand
fight against the bill. One member of tha
committee, however, said today the bill
made little. If any material change In rail
road affairs. Railroad Influence In the leg.
Islature has no', waned by any means
from the beginning ot the session, when It
was generally admitted to be great. Bo
these corporations, it may - be admitted,
have strong potentialities whichever wsy
they choose to develop them.
Tbe revenue bill Is sn admixture of sev
eral laws or fragments of laws on this
subject. Kansas, Iowa, Ohio, California.
Indiana and Nebraska have contributed.
according to the statements ot the eomnitt-
tee, to tbe making of this bill. The gen
eral basis of taxation Is to have property
listed r.t its full cash value and taxed at
one-fifth. One-fourth, as in Iowa, was about
to be adopted, but was finally set aslds for
tbe one-fifth basis.
Shifts Some Burdens.
This bill will not, so one ot its authors
says, materially increase the volume of
taxes In Nebraska. He said tt will have
a tendency to equalize the payjaent of taxes
by bringing a certain class of notable tas
shirkers to time and thus throwing upon
their shoulders the bulk of ths burden
which their former evasion cast upon tha
shoulders of the remainder of the people.
In this way ho thocxlu tha railroads
would be made to pay more taxea, pos
sibly. That clause Inserted In the bill last
week providing that street railway, gas,
electric, waterworks, telegrsph, telephone,
express and mining companies be taxed on
their tangible property and tn addition on
their gross receipts ss their franchises, was
at the very last moment this morning
changed, so as to Include only telephone,
telegraph and express companies. Thus
It subjects the other companies to taxation
by the same method heretofore prescribed,
on full value of franchises and other prop
erty. Officers of Omaha and Lincoln cor
porations, notably of tbe two street rail
way systems, appeared before the commit
tee last week, or at least before Individual
members of the committee and Insisted that
the new method of franchise assessment
would not lower, but might raise their
taxes, yet argued that they would not ob
ject to this as It would afford a mors
direct and definite system and enable them
to escape politics and complicated litiga
tion. The argument carried, yet failed to
satisfy all the members of the committee
and the result was that thia morning. Just
before the bill was Introduced, this change
was made in this clauae. It was con
servatively estimated that had this clause
remained as the street railway magnstst
desired, the taxes of the On.aha Street
Hallway alone would have been' cut down
In one year $32,000.
It Is explUned that under telephone and
telegraph companies Is also Included pipe
line and oil companlea, ao that ths Stand
ard Oil company will receive the benefit
ot this new method of franchise assess
ment. Filing Railroad Valaes.
Returning to this matter of railroad as
sessment the bill puts everything up to
the State Board of Equalization by en
larging the member Jhlp of that body and
providing new means for it to gather all In
formation necessary to the assessment of
these corporations. The method of listing
property at a full cash value and taxing
st one-fifth holds good with reference to
railroad as well as all other property. But
the provision governing this matter speci
fically states that the Board of Equaliza
tion is to tlx the ruling basis of assess
ment. Tbe board Is to make returns to
every county clerk In the state ss the basis
of levy for county, township, precinct, city,
village, school and road districts and this
return sbsll Include:
First The number ot miles of tracks in
V.'i
i
T
-4