BUSTER BROWN'S GHOST NEXT SUNDAY'S BEE The Omaha Daily Bee. SHERLOCK HOLMES' STORY -NEXT SUNDAY'S BEE 7 ESTABLISIIED JUNE 19, 1871. OMAHA, TIUDAY MOUSING, FEIHtUARY 17, 1905 TEN PAGES. SINGLE COPY TIIIIEE CENTS. OIL TRADE INQUIRY President Direct Commissioner Garfield to Begin an Investigation. WANTS RIGID AND COMPREHENSIVE WORK Order Issued in Bespense to Eesolation Passed by tbe Boos. MR. CAMPBELL AT WHITE HOUSE Author of the Beet o. Has a Conference with Cb .5 lecutiye. m HITCHCOCK DENOL SAGE IEASE secretary o Intel "ays Arransjs ment Have Bee ; d to Car tall Extent d It ' , Contri WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. President Roosevelt has directed James R. Garfield, commissioner of corporations of the De partment of Commerce and Labor to begin immediately the oil Investigation requested by the house of representatives yesterday In a resolution adopted unanimously. The Investigation, by direction of the president, will be rigid and comprehensive. The president has directed a letter to Commis sioner Garfield, In which he has given his directions and presented in outline his views. The inquiry will be pressed as rapidly a possible. The scope of the Investigation and the time it will occupy cannot be in dicated at this time. Representative Camp bell of Kansas, author of the resolution adopted by the house, had a conference with President Roosevelt today. Mr. Camp bell's idea la that the Investigation should concern particularly the situation in the Kansas field, but he expressed to the presi dent hla belief that the inquiry, once begun, would extend to the operations of the Standard Oil company in the Beaumont Meld of Texas and perhaps to other fields. ' Hitchcock Denounces Lease. Secretary Hitchcock today gave out a statement aralgntng as a "gigantic monop oly" the present lease by the Indian Terri tory Illuminating Oil company of the right to prospect for oil and gas throughout the entire area of the Osage Indian reservation and explaining the agreement reached sev eral days ago, aa announced in the Asso ciated Press 'dispatches, for cutting oft more than one-half of the lands operative under this lease during the next ten years. The statement seta forth that what Is known as the Osage oil lease, granting the exoluslve right to prospect, develop and sublet for oil and gas throughout the en tire 1,500,000 acres ot the Osage Indian lands, waa granted for ten years by the then secretary of the Interior, Hoke Bmtth, on March 18, ISM, to Edwin B. Foster, but that "after a, checkered existence" the leasee U known aa the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil company. "It waa," say this statement, ''one of the most glgantio monopolies ever is sued for an Individual or company by any sttsrutary-of-tke interior. The original lease waa nothing; short of a public scandal." ,. Secretary Bliss Investigated the lease with a view to cancelling It, but found he could not legally do so. The statement says Secretary Hitchcock especially opposed the extension of the original lease because the company la obtaining from the Indians practically CO per cent of the royalty ac cruing to the Indians who own the prop erty,, while the sub-lessees provide the cap ital. An amendment to the Indian appro priation bill Incorporating the final con clusion reached by the various Interests and the department. Intended to protect both the Indians and the sub-leaseee, cuts the lands operative under the lease to 680,000 acres. Division of Osaare Land. The house committee on Indian affairs today authorised a favorable report on the McQuIre bill authorising an equal di vision of the land and moneys of the Osage tribe of Indians. There are about t.OOO member of this tribe and its property consists of 1.SOO.000 acres of land, $8,250,000 on deposit in the treasury, an annual in come of 1160,000 from grazing lands and $100,000 from royalties from oil and gas. Company Will Assist. PITTSBURG. Feb. 16. William J. Toung, president of the Prairie OH and Gas com pany of Kansas, against which the oil In vestigation .resolution In congress yesterday was directed, In an Interview with the As sociated Press today said that the company was not afraid of an Investigation, "The charges being agitated at present are with out foundation," he snld, "and we are pay ing no attention to them. In fact, we will aid the investigation so as end the con troversy as quickly as possible. CANAL, BILL IX TllK SKXATE Committee Introduces Measure Differ ing; from On Passed by House. WASHINGTON. Feb. 16. Without wait ing for the Mann canal bill to come over from the house the senate committee on Interoceanio canals authorised Senator Kit tredge to prepare a new bill for the com mittee and Introduce it to the senate, which was done today. The committee has been sitting- for several weeks, having before It the Mann bill as originally reported in the house and the amendments reported on February 1. The Mann bill provided specifically for the repeal of that part of the canal act authorizing the appointment of the Isthmian Cunal commission and fixing its duties and powers. This section Is eliminated from the senate bill and the entire question is covered in the first seo tlon which extends the present canul act. The bill Introduced by Senator Ktttredge follows out practically all the remaining provisions of the Mann bill, but provides also a number of new features. One im portant change Is in the section which ex tends the authority now enjoyed by the president for the control of the canal sons. The senate bill extends this authority until the tnd of the next regular session of con gress, while the Mann bill provided for an extension until the end of the next con gress. Another new feature of the senate bill Is as follows' All Income at any time received by the United Stales from rentals, dividends or otherwise In respect of any properly now fouMesxed or hereafter acquired In connec lon with the canul, the railroad or ether works, shsH be turned Into and credited to the fund for tlis construction of said canal and works. Two new sections are added as follows: That alt laws affecting tho Imports of ar ticles, goods, wares and merchandise and entry of pulaons into the United Slates from foreign countries shall apply tu ar ticles, goods, wares and merchandise and persona coming from the canal tone, Isth mus of Panama and seeking entry Into any state or territory of the, Culled States or the District of c'ulunibm. The other provides for tho deposit of not to exceed $l,6u,. with a bank having a fiscal agent on the Isthmus of Panama in order that there may be a sufficient supply of money to meet the neevssiUua of the (ovarumeuU RUSSIAN MINISTERS AT SEA Rumors Current aa to Chaastes in Personnel, bnt Nothing Is Definite. ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 1.-Many rumors are current of ministerial and mili tary changes, including a report that War Minister Sakharoff ma- be sent to relieve General Kouropatkln; also one to the effect that M. Bouglin, minister of the interior, Is not In sympathy with the situation and may retire In favor of General TrepofT, governor general of St. Petersburg. The successor of M. Muravleff, former minister of Justice, appointed ambassador at Rome, has not yet been appointed. Almost any thing is likely to happen, but nothing definite ran be ascertained. M. Annensky, editor of Russian Wealth, who was arrested simultaneously with Maxim Gorky, the author and reform leader, was released yesterday. Upon his appearance before a scientific society last night he was received with great enthu siasm. 7:18 p. m. M. Witt?, according to the latest report, has resigned his position as president of the committee of ministers on account of differences with Minister of the Agriculture Ycrmoloff over the conduct of the proceedings of that body. M. Yermo loff Is probably the most liberal of Emperor Nicholas' ministers, enjoying now, accord ing to the story, the complete favor of the emperor. He openly advocates summoning a semsky zeabor. The report is not con flrmable at this hour, but receives credence in some usually well Informed quarters. BALFOUR W1S FIRST MOVE Asqulth's Amendment to Speech from Throne Defeated. LONDON, Feb. 17. The majority of sixty-three by which Mr. Asqulth's amend ment to the reply to the speech from the throne was rejected by the House of Com mons last night Is regarded as giving the government the first move In the political game and as finally disposing of any pres ent prospect of dissolution of Parliament. The real event of the night's debate was the brilliant speech delivered by Lord Hugh Cecil, which is admitted both by friends and opponents to have been his finest oratorical effort nnd one of the best speeches delivered In the House of Com mons since the Gladstone-Salisbury period, and as placing Lord Hugh Cecil In the forefront of possible leaders of the con servative free traders, and the liberals had placed their hopes in him to turn out the government. He disillusioned them by con tending that the free trade cause would gain by keeping the present government In office still longer, and, whilst he merci lessly pulled to pieces his Cousin Balfour's ambiguous attitude on fiscal questions, he declined to vote for the Asqulth amend ment. The majority of conservative free traders will follow Lord Hugh Cecil's lead and, apart from the possibility of some unexpected snap division, the government's position is considered safe. The scene during Lord Hugh Cecil's speech was somewhat curious and was in tensified by his peculiar habit of nervous gesture and physical characteristics, re calling the appearance of hla father, the late Lord Salisbury, at the same age. Only a couple of yards separated him from Pre mier Balfour sitting alone on the treasury bunch. . "It Is the business of a premier to moke himself understood," said his lordship. "If he confesses that he has not been under stood, then he throws up the sponge." Then he laughingly added that if Mr. Balfour would give him an office without portfolio he would undertake to make his policy perfectly clear to the whole country. He feared, however, that his own minis terial career, though sensational, would be brief and that the government would soon be defeated. In conclusion Lord Hugh Cecil declared that the free traders were winning all along the line. He had no In tention, he said, of leaving the conservative party. The conservative free traders were the inherlters of true conservative tradi tions. "In time," the speaker said, "you will for get your bad economics. The future is with us. It is needless that we secede from the party. Why should we symbolise metal stability by' an act of physical motion?" This speech practically concluded the de bate and members trooped out to the lob bies discussing it with admiration. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerraan and Premier Balfour spoke afterward, but without any striking effect. Mr. Balfour referred to dissolution as coming "In the fullness of time" and made one personal point against Lord Hugh Cecil by stating, amid laughter, that tt would be as difficult for his lordship to give a monosyllabic answer to the ques tion whether it was right for himself (Mr. Balfour) to say whether he was a protec ACCIDENT OX A SUBMARINE BOAT Explosion on British War Machine Kills Four Men. QUEENSTOWN, Feb. 16,-Four men killed and fourteen injured, of whom three are in a critical condition, was the result of two explosions on board the British submarine boat A-6 in the harbor today. The killed Included Engineer Artificer Chaffee, a leading stoker and a stoker. Lieutenant II. G. Good, commander of the vessel was blinded. His condition is crit ical. Lieutenant Skinner, an officer of the submarine boat, subsequently died of his injuries. Only one man of the entire crew escaped uninjured. The first explosion Is believed to have occurred while the crew was engaged in filling the gasoline tanks preparatory to proceeding outside the harbor. The A-5 caught Are after the first explosion. When this explosion occurred a number of tho crew of the torpedo gunboat Hasard volun teered o go to the rescue of the crew, but hardly had they got on board the A-5 when a second explosion took place and all the rescuers were more or less Injured. The submarine boat was afterward docked and an oftlcln.1 statement issued this evening says the vessel has not suffered much damage. An inquiry Into the causes of the explosions will be held tomorrow. MESSAGE TO HIE SENATE President Explains Purpose of Protocol with Santo Domingo. PAsSEXGEH STEAMER ASHORE Vessel with Mall and Passengers for Australia la Reported Aground. PERTH. West Australia. Feb. 18. The Pacific Steam Navigation company steamer Orlsaba. with passengers and mails for Syd ney, New 8outh Wales, Is ashore off Garden Island, twenty miles out of Its course. Its position is not considered dangerous. The British cruiser Katoomba has gone to the Orizaba's assistance. Later it was announced that the Orislba was firmly aground and had considerable water In Its hold. The passengers and malls were landed. ' Tugs from Fremantle are discharging Its cargo, after which an attempt will be mado to tow '-' steamer off. The weather Is becoming ealening. Slid, as the Orixiha's position Is exiwsed, It is feared It will be a lotal wreck. Explosion Injnrrs Six. NEW YORK, Feb. 16-8lx men were in jured, two of them seriously, In an ex pliwlon of chemicals In the plant of the Hrooklyn sulphur works In Brooklyn loduy, Xhs building caught ore. ACTION TO PROTECT MONROE DOCTRINE Provides for Administration of Cus toms In Interest of American and Other Creditors Attracts Wide Attention. WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. President Roosevelt's message, transmitting to the somite the new Dominican protocol of an agreement providing for the collection and disbursement by the United States of the customs revenues of Santo Domingo for the adjustment of all the obligations of that government, was today made public by order of the senate In executive session. The document Includes the new agreement as well aa the original protocol and award of the commission of arbitration, for the set tlement of the claims of the San Domingo Improvement company, under which agents of the United 8tates are already collecting the revenues at certain of the ports of the Domlnlcnn government. Few documents that have come to the senate In relation to any of the South or Central American or West India republics have attracted so much attention. Because of the controversy that has arisen as to the right of the executive to enter into treaty arrangement with any foreign government without advice and consent of the senate extraordinary Interest has been aroused. The document came to the senate at an hour past the usual time for most senators to leave the chnmber and therefore it was brought up soon after the senate convened today. The message of the president outlined the policy of the administration in relation to the Monroe doctrine, holding that it de manded this government take chnrge of the customs of American states when It Is manifest that they are unable to maintain their own Integrity. In addition to the president's discussion of the Monroe doctrine In the case of Snn Domingo, the protocol Itself makes a spe cific declaration of its application, and In that respect Is unusual in treaty making. The declaration occurred , In the second paragraph, which recites that the govern ment of the United States views "any nt tempt on the part of governments outside of this hemisphere to oppress the destiny of the Dominican republic as a manifesta tion of the unfriendly disposition toward the United States." Text of Message. The message says in part: To the Senate: I submit herewith a protocol concluded between the Dominican republic and the United States. The condition in the republic of Santo Domingo has been growing stendlly worse for many years. There have been many disturbances and revolutions, and debts have been contracted beyond the power of the republic to pay. Some of these debts were properly contracted and are held by those who have a legitimate right to their money. Others are without question im proper or exorbitant, constituting claims which should never be paid In full and per haps only to the extent of a very small portion of their nominal value. Certain countries have long felt them selves aggrieved because ot the non-payment of debts due their cttlsens. The only way by whfch foreign creditors could ever obtain from the republic Itself any guaranty of payment would be either by the acquisition of territory outright or tem porarily, or else by taking possession of the custom houses, which would, of course. In Itself in effect be taking possession of a certain amount of territory. Violations of Contracts. One of the difficult and Increasingly com plicated problems which often arise in Santo Domingo grows out of the violations of contracts and concessions, sometimes Improvldcntly granted with valuable privi leges and exemptions stipulated for upon grossly Inadequate considerations which were burdensome to the state and which, are not Infrequently disregarded and vio lated by the governing authorities. Citi zens of the United States and of other gov ernments holding these concessions and contracts appeal to their respective govern ments for active protection and Interven tion. Except for arbitrary wrong, done or sanctioned by superior authority, to per sons or to vested property rights, the United Stales government, following Its traditional usages In such cases, attempts to go no further than the mere procedure of its good offices, which frequently proved Inefficient. On the other hand, there are governments which do sometimes take en ergetic action for the protection of their subjects In the enforcement of merely contractual claims, and thereupon Amer ican concessionaires, cupported by power ful Influence, make loud appeal to the United States In similar action. The ordinary resources of diplomacy and International arbitration are absolutely Im potent to deal wisely and effectively with the situation in the Dominican republic, which can only be met by organizing Its finances on a sound basis and by placing the custom houses beyond tho temptation of insurgent chieftains. Terms of the Protocol. At the request of the Dominican govern ment wo have entered Into the agreement herewith submitted. Under It the custom houses will be administered peacefully, honestly and economically, 46 per cent of the proceeds being turned over to tbe Dominican government and the remainder being used ny the United States to pay what proportion of the debts It is possible to pay on an equitable basis. The republic will be secured against over-zealous ag gression. This In reality entails no new obligation upon us. for the Monroe doc trine means precisely such a guarantee on our part. It Is perhaps unnecessary to state that no stop of any kind has been taken by the ad ministration under the terms of the proto col, which is herewith submitted. The Republic of Santo Domingo has by this protocol wisely and patriotically ac cepted the responsibilities ns well as the privileges of liberty, and Is showing with evident rnod faith Its purpose to pav nil that Its resources will permit of Its obliga tions. More than this It cannot do, and when It has done this we should not permit It to be niohsted. We on our part are sim ply performing In peaceful manner, not only with the cordial acquiescence, hut In accordance with the earnest renuest of the government concerned, part of that Interna tional dutv which Is necessarily involved In the assertion of the Monroe doctrine. We are bound to show that we perform this dutv in good faith and without any Inten tion of asarsnrtlzlng our services at the ex pens of our weaker neighbors, or of con ducting ntinselvea otherwise than so as to benefit both these weaker neighbors and those Fnmneen powers which mav be brought Into contact with them. Tt is In the highest degree necessary that we should prove by our action that the world mav trust In our rood fnlth and mav tinder stand thst this International dutv will be performed by us within .our own sphere. In h Interest not merelv of ourselves hut of n'l other nations, end with strict Justice to ward sit If this is done s genrl e"eept snee of the Monro doctrine will in the end sorely follow: and this will mean an In crease of th sphere In which rwsreftil pi-isiw for th rt'emnt of International difficulties STSrtunlly displace those of a wnrllke chnrscter. Evidence of Good Faith. We can point with Just pride to what we have done in Cuba as a guaranty of our good failh. We Btayed In Cuba only so long as to start her aright on the road to self government, which she has since trod with such marked success; and upon leaving the Island we exacted no conditions snv sor-h as would prevent her from becoming the T--ev of thn sfmror. Oo- pnino.'.i in Snnto Domingo Is as beneficent. The good that this country got from Its action In Cuba was Indirect, rsther than direct. Bo It la ns rewards Snnto Domingo. The chief materia' advantage thnt will cop-e from the action proposed to lie taken will he to Hanto Ho. m'npo 'tself and to S.mto Donilngo's credi tors. The adVHiitsees that will come to the United States will be Indirect, tut neverthe len s-reit. for It Is supremely to our Inter est ha all the communities Immedliitelv sooth of us ehe"'d be or h-oome prosperous nnd stable, and therefore not merely In AKINS POSES AS DICTATOR He Tells Postmaster that He Person ally Represents the President In Distribution of Patronasje. JEFFERSON CITY. Mo., Feb. 16.-The senate Investigation committee today ex amined W, H. Haughawout, postmaster at Webb City, Mo., with reference to the sena torial situation. Senator Mc.Davld, chair man of the committee, asked Mr. Haugh awout whether he had a conference with Thomas J. Akins of the republican state committee last December. In which sena torial questions were discussed. Mr. Haugh awout replied that he had received a letter from Joseph Harris, postmaster at Kansas City, about the latter part of November stating that Harris had been to Washington and while there the president had assured him that he would be his own successor as postmaster at Kansas City. Haughawout then went on to relate that he thereupon wrote Harris relative to his own reappoint ment as postmaster at Webb City. In reply he received a letter dated Kansas City on December 9, In which Harris said: "While I wish you good luck In every way at this time I had better keep out until I find what Colonel Aklns and his friends who are I handling the patronage in that district are going to do. If you succeed in getting in line with them and show them that you are their friend and a friend of the adminis tration and have made a good officer I be lieve you will stand a fair show for reap pointment." After finishing reading the letter Haugh pwout proceeded: "After I received this letter I concluded that It would be a pretty good plan to go down and see what Mr. Aklns wanted, as It was intimated that I was rather out of line. I went to the suh trcasury and met Mr. Aklns. Aklns said to me: 'Haughawout, I am right from Wash ington and I represent the provident. The truth of It Is I am his mouthpiece In Mis souri nnd if there is sny republican ewcept Kerens elected senator the president says that Missouri will get Its full quota of ap pointments, such as consuls, foreign ap pointments and so forth. But he says, "If Kerens is elected Missouri won't get any thing." 1 He (Akins) wanted me to see the representatives; see who they were for nnd have them line up for anybody except Kerens. "Then I talked with him and wanted to know who he (Aklns) was for, but he said he had not made up his mind, only that Kerens must be beaten. He asked me what I thought of Parker and of Dye-. I told him they were good men. He said he thought so, too. "Well, of course, I was friendly to Kerens. When I went back of course I never called on the representatives from the fact that I found out how they stood and It satisfied me. I was opposed to Aklns having the dic tation of the senatorship." HYDE RETAINS HIS OFFICE Attempt to Oust Him from Tlce Pres idency of Equitable Life Assur ance Society Falls. NEW YORK, Feb. 16. James W. Alexan der and James H. Hyde were re-elected president and first vice president respec tively of the Equitable JJfe Assurance so ciety at the adjourned meeting of the direc tors today. All the other officers whose terms had expired were re-elected. A resolution was adopted recommending that policyholders be given the right to vote for directors and a committee, which includes President Alexander and Vice President Hyde, was appointed to carry out this step, which is practically the policy of mutuallzatlon advocated by President Alex ander. ' The results outlined were reached after a protracted session, which was marked at times by considerable feeling. Friends of Vice President Hyde are disposed to view the outcome as a victory for their side, but in other quarters the result is regarded as a general compromise, in which the con tending factions met half-way. That Mr. Hyde had a majority of the directors with him, however, was never In doubt. His election to the chairmanship of the executive and financial committees was regarded ns significant in this connection. Today's solution of the society's troubles was largely due, it Is understood, to the conciliatory methods employed by Senotor Depew and Jacob H. Schlff. Contrary to report Mr. Bchlff had not arrayed himself on either side and waa among those who favored mutuallzatlon. BRIBERY FIASCO IN COLORADO Representatives Who Make Charges of Corruption Present Written Apology to House. DENVER, Feb. 16. Representative J. F. Melton and C. E. Street, democrats, have made complete retractions in writing of the charges of bribery and intimidation uttered by them In the discussion of the eight-hour bill and the committee appointed to investi gate the charges recommended to the house today that their statements be accepted by tho house as full reparation of the miscon duct of the gentlemen." The committee, however, was continued In force. When the report was presented to the house today Representative B. J. O'Con nell, a democrat, announced that he would jinot vote for Its adoption. I "The committee," he said, "should have made an effort to discover what it was the lobbyists or others who have been going Into the speaker's room with members have said to these members." Mr. O'Connell's protest precipitated a discussion. Finally the Investigating committee was continued on motion of Its chairman, R. G. Brecken r'dge, to Investigate any further charges that may be made. i . "I want any newspaper or any person who has charges to make either to sub stantiate them or else Cease throwing out these baseless, unwarranted and false ac cusations," declared Chairman Breckon ridgo. The house then adopted the report, ac cepting the apologies made by Representa tives Melton and Street. (Continued Q boon Fag) CHILDREN PERISH IN FLAMES Neighbors I noble to Rescue Entire Family from Burning- House In Illinois. PEORIA, 111., Feb. IB. ?ire of a mysteri ous origin in the house of Manning Harris, a coal miner living at Edwards, fourteen miles from this city, burned the bodios of three small children to a crisp early today. The mother was taken from the burning house so badly burned that the flesh hung from her body In strips. Harris himself was horribly burned. When the lieljjtiLors attempted to alarm the family they found the doors and win dows locked. The mother was rescued, but the two children, who were lying by her side in td, were left to their fate. Harris was rescued from bis bed In sn Bill h,ii,u i - - i room, but only ouu of the bujs lix.-jinu i with him could be lake msb BOYSEN'S CLAIM CUT CUT Bill for Opening Wind Hirer Reserve Passes the Eonse. MEANS BUILDING OF MUCH RAILROAD Grand Commander Richardson of Scottish Rite Masons to Tour the Northwest and Will Visit Omaha. (From a Staff Correspondent.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. (Special Tele gramsThe Mondell bill opening the Wind River reservation to settlement passed the house today, but without the preferential clause giving Asmus Boysen ot Council Bluffs the right to stake out 640 acres of land. Major Lacey of Iowa insisted that the Bcysen claim should be considered In the passage of the measure, but the oppo sition, lead by Fitzgerald of New York, was too powerful and the bill parsed by a vote of 2 to 1 cutting out Hoysen's claim. Just what the senate will do Is prob lematical. Senator Wurren has all amend ment on the Indian bill opening the Wind river reservation along the lines of the Mondell bill. Now that the house has passed the measure It may be taken up Independent of the Indian bill and passed, although It Is understood the Iowa sena tors may Insist upon the Boysen claim going Into the bill, which will throw the measure into conference, and then will come the tug of war between the two houses whether Boysen shall receive preferential right for money expended or not. Speaking of the result of the opening of the Wind river reservation, Mondell tonight said: "It means the building of 350 miles of railroad in Wyoming within the next eighteen months. The Northwestern will build from Casper to the east border of the reservation and will run branch lines to Thormopolls and Lander. The Burling ton will build a line from some point on Its Cody line through Garland or Frannle to Thermopolls. through the Big Horn canon on the reservation. There Is al ready ample assurance that both roads will be completed In time for the otienlng, eighteen months hence. The opening of this reservation gives opportunity for un dertaking by reclamation one of the cheap est and best irrigation projects in the United States for the irrigation of 250,000 acres of ceded lands, but in case the reclamation service does not see fit to undertake the work, the cost of irrigation is so low per acre, ranging from S3 to 16, that settlers on the ceded lands will have no difficulty in organizing among them selves and constructing their own works." Tour of Scottish Rite Masons. Orand Commander Congressmen James D. Richardson, southern Jurisdiction Scot tish rite Mason, on his retirement from congress after twenty years' active life in the nation's legislative body, is arranging for a trip through the northwest. He will be accompanied by a number of thirty third degree Masons and will visit a num ber of cities on hlB tour, Including Omaha, where he wll stop three days. The grand commander's Itinerary is as follows: Leave Washington April 18, arriving In Duluth April 20, for, exercises in that city; from Duluth to Minneapolis; from Minneapolis to Fargo; leave Fargo April 28, for Aber deen, S. D. ; arriving on same day; leave Aberdeen for Yankton, May 1; leave Yank ton May 8 for Omaha, where three days will be spent, during which time a reunion of Scottish rite Masons will be held; leave Omaha May 6 for Des Moines; thence to Davenport, Chicago and Washington. The trip planned by the grand commander cov ers all of three weeks and In the territory visited he asks that contemplated re unions be arranged to conform to this itinerary. Omaha Man Appointed. Michael, Cavanaugh of Omaha has been recommended for the position of special agent of the census bureau, vice Howard Blackburn, resigned. Director North in formed Senator Millard today that Cav anaugh would be appointed. Judge Klnkald's bill to pension W. C. Townsend of Page, Holt county, at 130 per month has passed the senate and now goes to the president. Congressman Burkett returned this even ing from Michigan, where he made several speeches in honor of Lincoln's birthday. John T. Clarke, formerly of Omaha, but now of Chicago, Is In the city. " Will . Pay Hadcllfte Claim. The house committee on claims today authorized a favorable report on a bill to pay William Radcllffe, a British subject, $25,000 in settlement for his fish hatchery in Delta county, Colorado, which was de stroyed by a mob. The property was valued at S80.000. President Roosevelt rec ommended the measure. statehood Hill Conies I'p Today. The house committee on rules tomorrow will present to the house a rule sending the statehood bill to conference. A can vass of republican members has resulted in obtaining the signatures of thirty of the thirty-three who voted ugalust the res olution adopted in the recent republican conference. ' TOWNSEND STILL I1A HOPE Joint Author of Rate Bill Thinks Measure May Pass the Senate. WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. Representative Townsend of Michigan, one of the authors of the Esch-Townsend freight rate bill, hod a talk with the president today regarding the prospects for the enactment of the measure Into law. Mr. Townsend, who has canvassed the situation pretty thoroughly, expressed the opinion that there was a chance for the passage of the bill by the senate at the present session. After his talk with the president Mr. Townsend said that in the event of no legislation on the rata question being enacted at this session an extraordinary session of congress would be called by President Roosevelt for next autumn, per haps in October. TRYING DOCTOR FOR MURDER Taking Evidence la Case of Denver Physician Charged with Murder Concludes, NEW LONDON, Ma. Feb. 16.-Ths tak ing of evidence in the cose of Dr. T. Jones Watson of Denver, Colo., charged with the murder of his wife, concluded today. The trir.l began on January 23 and scores of wit nesses have been heard. The defense closed its case by placing Dr. Watson on the stand. He declared the death of bis wife was due to her having be-on thrown from a buggy In which tbe two were driving, throigh the running away of the horwo. The pioeciition cl.tlme 1 that she bad teen poisoned. Tho closing nri;uments btgun tonight, each side having been granted seven hours for presentation. It Is deemed probable ths caw will go to the Jury by tomorrow even lug. , NEBRASKA WEATHER FORECAST Fair and Colder Today. Saturday Fair. Temperature at Omaha Yesterdayi Hour. Des;. Hour. Ilea. It a. m in 1 p. m 2T H a. m 22 SI p. m 2 T a. m ito 3 p. in it H a. m SI 4 p. m Kit f a. m 24 B p. ni i 10 a. m UK it p. m X" 11 a. m 841 T p. m US lit m XT H p. m XT 9 p. m Xd TESTIMONY INTHE CODY CASE North Platte Woman Rehearses Some of the Family History and Doings. CHEYENNE, Wyo., Feb. 16.-(Speclal Telegram.) -The taking of testimony In the divorce case of William F. Cody against Mrs. Ixmlsa F. Cody was commenced In the district court here today. Colonel Cody opening his case with Mrs. John W. Boyer of North Platte as the first witness. Mrs. Boyer testified that on three different occasions Mrs. Cody gave her hus band a drug called dragon's blood, which at the time of administering she told witness was for the purpose of getting her husband under her control, that she could handle him better In signing papers, etc. On an other occasion she told witness thst she gave the drug to make Colonel Cody love her more, but witness did not believe tho latter story because the drug made the colonel deathly sick Instead of more lov ing. The witness testified generally that Mrs. Cody kept liquor in her home and drank considerably, and had been under Its Influence; that she haf? a mean disposition and had been cruel with Colonel Cody. For Colonel Cody she testified that he was a good provider, very kind to his family, etc., but admitted that he was a hard drinker, was often drunk and had been frequently accused by Mrs. Cody of in timacy with other women. The death of Cody's daughter Arta and of the actions of Mrs. Cody at that time were brought out. Witnesses said Mrs. Cody refused to accedo to the request of Cody to bury all differ ences. She wanted to telegraph him that he had caused Arta's death and she threat ened to denounce him at the grave of their daughter. It developed that the Codys went east from Spokane to Rochester, N. Y., on the. same train, but occupied separate cars. At Chicago Mrs. Cody was said to have created a disturbance, during which she denounced the colonel. One of the women Mrs. Cody charged with being with Colonel Cody In Chicago was Miss Viola Clements. When asked If Miss Clements was not Miss Kutherlne Clemnns witness said no. JAY COOKE PASSES AWAY Famous Financier Is Dead at Home of ills Son-ln-Law Near Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 16. Jay Cooke, whose fame as a financier Is world-wide, died tonight at the home of his son-in-law, Charles D. Barney, at Ogontz, a suburb of this city, 83 years of age. He had been suffering from general debility, the result of old age, for several years. His- condition was not considered serious, however, and his death tonight camo rather suddenly. Last Monday he entertained as his guests 125 young women attending the Ogontz school, and their friends. On that occasion he appeared to be In good spirits and was the last to leave the reception room. Mr. Cooke's family, relatives and friends were notified of vhls illness early today and many of them, including Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Barney and Jay Cooke, Jr., his children, were present when he died. lew except his closest neighbors knew that he was ill. From the day of his retirement from active work in flnanclnl circles, . about twenty years ago, to the day of his final illness he was never an Idle man. He main tained many business Interests, but much of his time he spent in hunting and fishing in the bass fishing waters at Put-In-Bay, Lake Eric. At the time of his death he was the owner of large tracts of land In the west. YOUNG MUST GO TO JAIL St. I.onls Attorney Will Serve Sentence for I'slngr Malls to Defraud. ST. LOUIS, Feb. 16. An order was Issued today by the United States court of appeals commanding Ira C. Young, an attorney of St. Louis who wus formerly a member of Governor Dockery's staff, convicted of usni.; tho mails with Intent to defraud, to surrender to the Unitod States marshal by February IS to bsgln his term of eigh teen months In the Missouri penitentiary. On appeal Young's case was reviewed by the United States court of appeals, which affirmed the decision of the lower court. Young's partner, Dr. Edward A. W. Row ley, who was also convicted on a similar charge, Is now In the penitentiary. SMALLPOX RULES THE TOWN No Means of Communicating with mlthfleld, Illinois, Sines Telegrapher Is 111. PEORIA, 111., Feb. 16. Not even a tele graph message can reach Smtthfleld, a village forty milts west of here, on the Toledo, Peoria 4 Western, so strict is the smallpox, quarantine and so great is the ravage wrought by the malady. The last means of communication with ths outside world was cut off whrr. ii-.e telegraph office was closed by the illness of the operator. Scores of deaths have occurred and the state officials have pro hibited the stopping of trains at the village. ADDRESS BY MISS ADDAMS Final Meeting of National Child Labor Committee Held at New York. NEW YORK. Feb. 16. The final meet ing of the national child labor commit tee, which has been In stsslon this week, was held tonight. Miss Jane Addams of Hull house, Chicago, spoke on "Child La bor Legislation as a Requisite for Indus trial Efficiency." A. J. McKelway of Char lotto, N. C, discussed ' Child Labor Sltua- I tlon In Southern Industries." and Ju3ge U. B. Lindsay of Denver spoke on "The Juvenile Court." Movements of Ocean Vessels Feb. 1H. At New York Arrived : (lenrgtc. from Liverpool: Bnrliarowa, from Biemen; I'rln zess Irene, from Uonoa; Furuesslu, fi jin dlamow. Srallec' ; i.a J'ourraine, lor Hii-re. At H.-ivr? Arrived: I -a Lorraine, from Ne-v York. At London Arrived: Columbian, from Boston. At I lvcrpool Arrived: Teutonic, from New Yi.i'k. SHlled: Cirthagetilun, for Bt. John s: "Ionian, for Hallfii". At yuetiittown Billed: Baltic, fur New York. TALK OF RATE BILLS General Opinion No Snc'h Measures Will Pass tbe Legislature, MOVE FOR ELECTIVE RAILWAY COMMISSION General Opinion This Is Most Effective Means of Beaching End. RESOLUTIONS READY IN BOTH HOUSES Perry Cites Succist of Other 8tatea Through This Method. REQUIRES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT tody to Push the Matter In Vppes Branch and l'erry to Champlea It la the House of Representatives. (From a Staff Correspondent.) LINCOLN, Feb. Id (Special Telegram.K With a concurrent resolution already ba fore the senate and ene to be Introduced li the house without delay, proposing a con stitutional amendment providing for the creation- of a railroad commission whose duty It shall be to fix and rtgulate freight rates, the belief Is becoming general that neither the Foster-Junkln-Davls bill nor the Caldwell bill, to be Introduced, will be enacted Into law, but that the legislature will choose the commission as the best way to solve this matter of rate regulation. The Foster-Junkln-Davls bill was drawn under the Foster resolution authorizing ths speaker of the house to appoint a commit tee to draft a maximum freight rate bill. It cuts present rates on an average of 10 per cent. It only takes up, however, twenty-seven of the principal commodities. Caldwell's bill Is calculated to effect a IS per cent reduction in present rates. Cndy of Howard Is the author of the con current resolution in the senate and Perry of Furnus will introduce the resolution In the house. The two men will, therefore, become lenders in their respective bodies for this legislation. Commission the Best Plan. . "I have been devoting considerable time to the study of the freight rate question and the best method of dealing with it," said Mr. Perry, "and my Investigations lead me to the conclusion that the only way we ever shall solve tho problem Is to create a slate commission nnd leave the matter In Its hands, taking it entirely out of the con trol of the legislature. Other states havs t.iltcn this course nnd come out profitably, and I believe Nebraska can do so. Texas has a railroad commission which has ex clusive charge of - freight rate schedules, and from a rather comprehensive study of the sltuntlon I am convinced Texas is hav Inir as satisfactory results with its system of rates as any state In the union. Ths fact Is the commission has proved to be eminently successful and satisfactory. By having a commission of this character, charged with the enforcement of the laws with respect to railroad rates and other matters of rnllrorid business properly com Ing under such supervision, we would not have the same old difficulty each recurring . session of the legislature or at least In many sessions of trying to adjust freight rates. If the commission's rates were be lieved to be unfair, or unjust the roads or whoever the aggrieved party might he would still have recourse to the courts. "Several bills calculated to meot this Issue of railroad regulation have been in troduced and are pending before this legis lature, and at least one other Is yet to come. The Foster-Junkln-Davls bill, even by Its authors, is not represented as a thorough measure, but simply a primitive means of finally getting at the main ques tion. It proposes a sort of general reduc tion In present rates of 10 per cent. Mr. Caldwell claims the bill he Is drafting will lower the rates 15 per cent. Ascribing none but the highest and best motives to the gentlemen back of these bills for they are men as sincerely and as earnestly In favor of good legislation as any I am frank to say that In my Judgment not one of these measures will come to aught. I think that is the prevailing opinion among ths mem bers. And I think also the view I have taken with reference to the railway com mission Is a general one. It seems to be a popular theory that the only way of finally and fully getting at the freight rate ques tion In Nebraska is to amend the constitu tion so as to create a commission." Text of Resolution. This is a copy of the resolution Mr. Perry will Introduce: Resolved, By the house of representatives of tbe state of Nebraska, the senate con curring: Section 1. That at the general election for stale and legislative officers to be held on the Tuesday succeeding the first' Monday In November. UK!, the following provision be proposed and submitted to the electors of the state as uu umendmeut to the consti tution: "There shall be a State Railway commis sion, consisting of three members, whose terms of office, except those chosen at the flm election under this provision, shall bo three years, uud Whos salaries shall be $.1,0(10 each per annum. Of the three com missioners first elected, the one receiving the highest number of votes shall hold his office three years, the next highest two years and the lowest one year. The power and duties of such commission shall In clude such regulation of rates, service and freneral control of common carriers as the esrlslature shall provide by law." See. 2. That at said election In ths year IfXKi, on the ballot of each elector voting thereat, there shall be printed or written the words: "For constitutional amendment, with reference to Slate Railway commis sion," And "Against constitutional amend ment, with reference to State Railway com mission," and If a majority of all votes rast at s.ild election shall be for such amendment, the sume shall be deemed to be adopted. Report on Interurlian Bill. The house railroad committee tonight voted to report for general file the Inter urban bill, giving the right of eminent do main to the Interurlian company, and the Shrerk bill, providing for transportation for parties accompanying cattle shipments. The senate committee on medical affairs will report If. R. 106, known as the Mc Mullen bill, for general file tomorrow. The bill was amended ut the request of osteo paths to leave them out of the Jurisdiction of the bill. Discuss Omaha Charter. The Omaha delegation held another meeting ut the Lincoln this evening and took up the Nelson charter, section by sec tion. The amendments In regard to con solidation o the city nnd county treas urers' offices were presented by John P. Breen nnd the balance by Mr. Nelson. All the Omaha people who wero present at th last preceding meeting wre In atund nnce and Couiic'lmtn II B. Zlmman, E I Evano, 1'. C. B iiroeder, C S. lluntlrg'.t tl ! ::nd R. H. Howell. John C. Holt and H. F. MilUr. The mxt siaslnn will le an ex ecutive one, at wnlih only the members of tbe legislature will l prebent. and tho amendments agreed u;i n will be presenter; to the legislature with the request that they become a law. Nothing definite was agreed upon in dutall. but consolidation of the two treasure! ' Offices and the abolition