Nebraska Newspapers

    The Bee's Sunday Magazine Features
Outtop those of All Competitors.
The Omaha Daily Bee.
THE SUNDAY BEE A NEWSPAPER
AND A MAGAZINE IN ONE.
ESTABLISHED JUNE 19, 1871.
OMAHA, SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 4, 1903 TWELVE PAGES.
SINGLE COPY THREE CENTS.
JAPS NEAR MUKDEN
Islanders Aarance to Withi Eleen Milei
of Russian 8tronghold.
GREAT CONFUSION IN THE CITY
Manj Wounded Arrive and Booming of
Gini Beoomes Mors Distinct
LOSSES ARE HEAVY ON BOTH SIDES
Fight Has Now Been in TrogTeM for Fire
Daji.
DEFENSE ON THE SHAKHE IS STUBBORN
READY FOR THE INAUGURATION
Rain Mar Interfere with Ceremonies
Order of Kserelsrs for
the Day.
attacks on Lone T I,Ar Twice
nepnlsed and A n-alnst
: the Rasslan t -im
Cheek
artillery
d. The
'ore Ala-
MUKDEN, Marco 4. -A
lire la heard ten niUea ',
roaring of the guns la bee.
Unct every hour.
The Russian losjedurinfc : at Ave
day have been heavy. ,
The wounded are streaming through
Mukden northward, the hospital train sor
vlce being; Infinitely better than at the
time ot tne battle of the Shakhe river.
Great confusion prevalla In thla city,
every, means of tranaport out of Mukden
being used.
Night attacks are again the feature of
the Japanese tactlca. Curing last night
olinoat corps of Infantry was hurled
against General Bielderllng's light flank
and for hour the men fought In dark
ness, the Japanese using hand grenades
with terrible effect. The butchery on both
aides waa frightful.
General Rennenkumpft's troops acquitted
fhemselvea brilliantly, contesting the
passes southeast for three days. They
fought continuously, the Japanese prees
Ing them on all sides with heavy odds In
favor of the Japanese. On Thursday night
the corps lost about 1.300 men, of which
number fourteen were officers.
. Over 1,000 wounded men have already
arrived' here.
Tie brunt of the fighting fell on General
Danlelolt's division and General Lubuuln's
division, which held the heights of Tomous
mountain. They were attacked last night
and the position twice changed hands, but
morning found It atlll in possession of the
Russians.
Thus far- General nennenkampff has suc
cessfully barred the way of General Ku
rokl's column. '
Btabborn Fighting; All Dar Long.
SAKHETUN, Manchuria, March 3. Stub
born fighting has been In progress all day
;ong.
Four Japanese divisions are about eleven
. mllss west of Mukden.
I The Japanese today made two Infantry
attacks on Poutlloff hill, but were re
pulsed. They have resumed tho bombard
ment of the bill.
The Japanese attacked the Russian ex
treme left wing at two points aa well
at Gauto pass, where during the morning
the fojytifiaUpnfirevJpualy . abandoned
were' recapturW -.by the Russians.
''' 'The bombardment of the. Russian posi
tions on the left and right flanks con
tinued, while the Japaneae awept Poutllott
hill with at least 2,500 shells from siege
guns and mortars, the latter'a projectiles
being recognisable by their enormous ex
plosive force and massive splinters.
Toward evening the Japanese advanced
on the right wing, where stubborn fighting
continues.
Though the Japanese are pushing for
ward on the left bank of the Hun river,
the Russians are maintaining a stubborn
defense.
Jap Adraace Is Cheeked.
The four Japanese divisions engaged in
the turning movement on the Russian right
on the Lino river today reached Bawnipu,
fcbout eleven miles west of Mukden, but
Kusslun reinforcements were sent out and
iKi-k;.d the advance.
A Japanese attack on the positions east
of Erdugou at 4 o'clock thla morning was
repulsed.
Under cover of the artillery fire and a
mist the Japanese opened an Infantry at
tack on Poutlloff hill at 7 o'clock thla
morning, but were beaten off by the fire of
the Russian guns. A secpnd attack at
noon was similarly repulsed, after which
the Japanese resumed the bombardment
of the hill with siege guns preparatory
to making a fresh assault. General Nogl's
Fort Arthur veterans are participating In
the preaenl fighting. The lossea on both
sides are heavy, but the results are In
decisive. The report that a detachment
of Japanese cavalry has appeared at k'in
mintin is confirmed.
hips la tha lea.
TOKIO, March I. The commander of the
Japanese warship which seised the Severus
reports us follows;
On the morning of February 23, while
at sea off Hokkaido, we pursued the Ger
man steamer Severus, bound for Vladi
vostok, with coal, ice presented the war
ship iroin approaching the deverua and
held both snips, which were enveloped
and disabled by Ice and drifted seaward
ail tnat niguu X ne next morning we cap
lured it-
The unknown steamer recently reported
to be held In the Ice between Ihe ialanda of
Kunushlri and Hokkaido continues drift
Ing about. The Japanese guardshlps are
unable to approach It.
It is reported that the American steamer
Tacoma, bound from Seattle to Vladlvos
tok, with 2,000 tons of salt beef on board.
was caught In the lue north of Hokkaido
about February 15 and is still held there.
It is added thut the crew once abandoned
the Tacoma, but returned ' to It. These
reports cannot be confirmed on account of
lbs dunger to naval ships, which were
avoiding the Ice field.
Report front tha Front.
p. m. The following report has been
received from the field headquarters of the
Manchurian army:
Tha enemy in front of our forcea in the
direction of Bingiiehlng appears to be
gradually receiving reinforcements.
Uur i'enklhu (urce captured tne enemy'a
pomiioi.a li eastern heights of Kaotai puss
ana ai unangaou, which is iwo tunes east
of Tunakuu inouutaln.
lp the direction ot the Shakhe river the
ensmy in trout or uur lurces made
am all nlant attack, whlcb was repulsed.
The enemy on the right liank ot the Hun
river maue a counter attack on Chenchleh
pao and Its western districts toward the
river, uui ine aiiaca was vuuiiuy re
Dulsed.
We have driven the enemy from Chlngtao
and Suganglai.
Fight la Saowatorm.
GENERAL. KL'ROKl 8 HEADQUAR
TKKO, March l (Via Fusan, March ). The
battle is progressing favorably for the Jspa
neae, allhough a stiow storm Is swirling over
the hilltops. The Japanese made great galas
by night advances against the Russian
position oa the extreme left, and they oc
cupy a part of the first line of the triple
line of defenses in the hill beyond the
Bhakhe. I'nder cover of the night the
Japanese right gained Ofurel and Taka
WASHINGTON, March 3. Probabilities
strongly incline toward rain for the early
part of tomorrow's Inaugural festivities In
the opinion of Official Forecaster Franken
fleld of the weather bureau. The weather
may clear In time for the parade In the
fternoon. There la a chance that Wash-
ngton may escape the rain altogether, Mr.
Frankenfleld said, but the outlook was
against It.
Barring the prospect of rain tomorrow
everything points to a most successful and
brilliant Inauguration. Evidence of com
plete readiness for the event even as to
small details is everywhere apparent. To
night the Illuminations on the several pub
lic buildings and In the court of history
In front of the president's house were
tested and found to work satisfactorily.
They presented a charming sight. Penn
sylvania avenue was a bluse of light from
the illumination in the dome of the capltol
at one end of the thoroughfare to the
Treasury department at the other. Penn
sylvania avenue was a dense mass of
strollers viewing the sights. Numerous
military and civil organizations arrived In
the city during the day and night and
mingled with the plainly attired Inhabitants.
The West Point cadets arrived tonight.
They marched from the station to the
Washington barracks, where they will be
quartered. The capltol was the Mecca for
more than could gain admission to the
senate and house galleries to watch the
closing scenes of congress. The overflow
wandered through the corridors. The con
gressional library shared honors with the
capltol aa to crowds and was filled until
the closing hours.
At every hotel and clubhouse, reunions
of various political and patriotic organs, or
receptions to visiting governors, were In
progress.
President Roosevelt and his family spent
the evening quietly at the White House.
At the vice president's home there was
dinner, followed by a reception to Gov
ernor Hanly of Indiana and staff. The
dinner party included twenty persons In
all, among whom were the members of
Senator Fairbanks' family.
The time card for the Inaugural events.
as closely as can be scheduled, follows:
10 a. m. President leaves) White House for
the cupitol with his personal escort.
10:30 to U m. President remains In h a
room adjoining the senate chamber and
passes on measures passed at the last hour
and awaiting his action.
12 m. President takes seat In senate
chamber in front of the vice uresident s
desk.
12:15 D. m. President wo temDore of the
senate administers the oath to Mr. Fair
banks as vice president.
12:80 p. m. New senators sworn in.
1:00 n. m. President takes the oath on
stand at east front of capltol. i
1 : lb p. m.i resident reads his Inaugural
address.
1:20 to 1:30 p. m. President Roosevelt con
cludes his inaugural address and starts for
White House and parade, in which approxi
mately 30,000 men, according to the commit
tee s estimate, will be In line, begins to
march. Parade halts at head of Pennsyl
vania avenue to allow president to take
luncheon and reach reviewing stand.
2 p. m. President at luncheon.
2:45 D. m. President enters reviewing
stand and begins review of the parade.
6:30 p. m. i'araae enas.
7:30 d. m. Inaugural ball committees as
semble. Fireworks begin.
8 D. m Pension building opened for in
augural bail. .. ....
s.40 p. in. r ireworas Kjncmae
9 p. m. Grand march at the ball.
Hi Midnight-Ball ends.
Monday Night Grand Inaugural concert.
Continued oa ly.eaih
LEGISLATURE HAS THE CASE
Colorado Gubernatorial Contest
Comrii'p for Final Consid
eration at Heaver.
DENVER, March 8. The general assembly
of Colorado, in Joint convention, is now
healing argument on the question of oust
ing Governor Alva Adama and restoring
James H. Peabody to the chair of chief ex
ecutive of state, which he held during 1903
and 1904.'
Four reports were presented by the com
mittee of twenty-seven (eighteen repub
licans and nine democrats), that heard the
evidence In the contest instituted by Mr.
Peabody. Fourteen republican members of
the committee signed a report in favor of
throwing out the returns of 104
Denver precincts and twenty-eight
precincts In other counties, and de
claring that' Peabody was legally
elected, but six of these announced that
they reserved the right to vote otherwise
In Joint convention, and one of them, Sena
tor Alexander, presented another report In
favor of declaring a vacancy In the office
of governor, to be filled under the constitu
tion by the lieutenant governor. The other
four republican members reported in favor
of dismissing the contest and placed Adams'
minimum plurality at 3,819 after giving the
contestor the benefit of every doubt. The
nine democratic committeemen submitted a
report showing that if all votes challenged
by experts were rejected Adams would still
have 2,760 plurality.
Rules were adopted by the Joint conven
tion Immediately after receiving the com
mittee reports today giving the attorneys
on each aide eight hours for arguments.
John M. Waldron, chief counsel for Mr.
Peabody, opened the-argument, speaking
for five hours.
Nearly four hours were taken up today
by the reading of the four reports from the
contest committee.
Just before Mr. Waldron began his ad
dress former Governor Peabody entered the
chamber. Governor Adama was not present
during the session.
After Mr. Waldron had spoken for an
hour an adjournment was taken until to
morrow, when he will resume his speech.
GRAIN RATEWAR SETTLED
Kaasaa City Gets a Differential of
One tent Over Omaha to
Galf Ports.
CHICAGO, Marhh I. The western grain
rate war was settled today by an agree
ment to restore normal tariffs April 1. In
addition to returning to the old rates the
lines agreed that If at any time any one be
came dissatisfied with conditions or rates
they would not take action with no tl flea
tlon.
This agreement, if kept, means the end of
the so-called "midnight tariff."
By resolution It also was agreed to ap
point a committee to Investigate the re
stored ratea and conditions under them
and to suggest changes If thought neces
sary.. This committee soon will be ap
pointed and will report June 15.
The ratea aa restored give Chicago and
the seaboard a better chance at western
grain than they have hitherto had. Al
though no definite arrangement was made
regarding differentials the new rates to the
east will include elevator charges, which
was not formerly the cHse. Thus in effect
the gulf lines will hereafter enjoy a dif
ferential of only t cents over Baltimore.
The rates in cents per 100 pounds agreed
on are;
Chi- Baltl
St. Ixiuls. tugo. Gulf. more.
Omaha to t 11 11 2i"4
CZAR ISSUES A RESCRIPT
Representatives of People to Be Given aa
Advisory Yoioe in Government.
WORKMEN THREATEN A GENERAL STRIKE
Their Demands for Coneessloaa Are
Refused Bernese They Are
Political Instead of
Economic.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 8. Emperor
Nicholas this afternoon affixed his signa
ture to a rescript containing his majesty's
decree to give elected representatives of
the people an opportunity to express their
views In the preparation of the laws of
the empire. This Is the autocracy's final
response to the agitation In favor ot par
ticipation by the people In government that
has brought Russia in the last few months
almost to the brink of revolution. No
change In the regime of autocracy Is In
volved for the present and It means neither
jl constitution nor a national assembly. At
the same time it recognises the principle
0 fthe people's right to be heard regarding
laws under which they must live. Whatever
the result may be, the document Is, sure
to mark an epoch In Russian history as
Important as the signing of the emanci
pation manifesto, the twenty-fourth anni
versary of which it was Intended to slg
nullze. Text of the Rescript.
Following Is the text of the rescript,
which is addressed to the minister1 of the
interior:
True to the ancient custom of the Rus
sian people of the expression of its feelings
to the throne In days ol Joy or sorrow for
the fatherland, the nobility, xemstvo as
semblies, commercial associations and peas
ant communities have offered from all
parts of Russia congratulations on the
birth of the heir to the throne with expres
sions of their willingness to sacrifice their
fortunes for the successful termination of
the war and to devote ail their strength to
the establishment of order In the state. In
my own name and In that of her majesty,
1 order to you to convey to them our
hearty thanks for the expression of their
lovol feeling which In the present very
grave times Is all the mure pleasing as
an expression of their willingness, at my
call, to co-operate In the successful execu
tion of the reforms announced by me and
Is entirely In accordance with the wishes
of my heart.
My desire is to attain the fulfillment of
my Intentions for the welfare of my people
by means of the co-operation of the gov
ernment with experienced forces of the
community and continuing the work of my
crowned .ancestors, to retain the prestige
of the Russian nation undiminished and to
maintain order therein I am resolved
henceforth, with the help of God, to con
vene the worthiest men possessing the con
fidence of the people and elected by them
to participate In the elaboration and con
sideration of legislative measures.
Taking Into consideration the peculiar
circumstances of the fatherland, the mul
tiplicity of Its races and In certain parts
of the country the weak development of
citizenship, Russian rulers In their wis
dom Instituted reforms in accordance with
their mature requirements, but only In
logical sequence at the same time consid
ering the continuation of Arm historical ties
with the past as a pledge for the dura
bility and stability of the present.
In undertaking these reforms I am con
vinced that local needs and experience of
life, well weighed and sincere speech of
those elected will Insure frultfulness to
legislation fur the real benefit of the peo
ple. At the same time 1 foresee all the
complexity and difficulty , presented la. tha.
elaboration bf this reform while preserving
absolutely the Immutability of the funda
mental laws ot the empire.
I have confidence in your long adminis
trative experience and valued assurance
In approbation of a Bpecial conference to
meet under your presidency to consider
means to accomplish this, my will.
May God bless this good beginning. May
God help you successfully to secure the
welfare of the people confided to me by
God. . NICHOLAS.
The humor in which the rescript will be
received is awaited with the keenest
anxiety. Extremists are expected to de
nounce the government for steering a mid
dle course, yielding something in the form
ot popular representation while retaining
the essence of autocracy, but the govern
ment does not hope to satisfy this class. If
it rallies the moderates to the support of
the government the object will be attained.
A good reception certainly will ameliorate
the strike situation, which is critical In
many places. '
Workmen Threaten General Strike.
The workmen left their meetings in St.
Petersburg this afternoon threatening to
renew a general strike. Tonight the streets
are again full of Cossacks and every prep
aration and precaution has been taken In
anticipation of possible trouble tomorrow.
Extra editions of the Official Messenger,
containing the imperial manifesto and re
script, have been distributed in all the In
dustrial quarters this . evening and the
documents will be posted at every street
corner throughout tha country tomorrow.
The Associated Press Is officially In
formed that tha refusal of the workmen's
ultimatum demanding release of their fel
lows arrested since January 22, open meet
ings and, free publications of the proceed
ings of the counclllatlon commission was
because the government realized that the
forces behind the workmen were political
agitators. The freeing of those arrested
would simply reinforce the workmen and
open meetings would be used, not to ad
Just strike differences, but to make revolu
tionary speeches for dissemination, through
the press. . "
Demanda are nat Granted.
As expected, the answer to most of the
political conditions imposed by the work
men, who met yesterday at tha People's
palace, as essential preliminaries to elect
ing fifty of their number to serve on the
mixed commission of employers and em
ployes, was a decided negative, and unless
the workmen recede the proposed Joint
investigation of the grievances of the em
ployes and remedial measures Is doomed.
Senator Schldlovskl, who was to preside
over the commisjlon, in his reply today,
which was printed and placarded on the
doors of the various meeting places, drew
a sharp distinction between economical and
purely political conditions. He met the
men half way In regard to the former and
gave a pledge that representatives would
be Immune from arrest or molestation on
account of speeches or demands so long as
they confined themselves to Industrial con
ditions.
"As for the other demanda," he contin
ued, "they go far beyond the competency
of the commission in Ule task committed to
It by his majesty and require no answer on
my part."
in conclusion the workmen, who found
j the doors ot the general meeting place
Liueru v U iiiviu, w v iu,uru tu liicri nil
afternoon by sections, according to the na
ture ot the Industry In which they are en
gaged, for the election of members to serve
on the commission, as originally contem
plated. The neighborhood was full of police,
large numbers of whom were hidden In
courts, doorways, alleys and buildings in
the vicinity.
The workmen stood about In the snow
discussing the situation quietly among
themselves. They finally decided to hold
sectional meetings thla afternoon to de
cide on tha measures to be adopted before
BEST IN THE WEST.
OMAIIAv Ken., Mch. 3, 1905.
The Bee rubllAliIng Co.,
Otitn lin. Neb. '
Dear Sirs': KoplylDjat to your In
quiry as to vvlietlier my advertise
ment In your paper met with satis
factory results will say that I con
sider The Hae one of the best ad
Tertlslnit uietiluuia In the s west. I
bnre carrietU my advertisements In
said paper for a number of years.
I liave received inquiries far and
near in answer to suine, and many
have resulted very profitably. I
now have nailer consideration two
large deals r"h parties In other
states than Is Nebraska. I was
brought In tif'irh with them through
your paper ul 3 I have every reason
to believe tilt these negotiations
will soon ratilprlallxe.
I ran reconuieml The Bee ns a
worthy mediam for bringing good
results from dvertllnjr.
Beseotfully yours,
t J. II. JOHNSON.
Real estate Ind business chances,
843 N. Y. Llf bldg
WOLCGTTS DEATH IS A SHOCK
Body Will Lie fa Mortuary Chapel In
Paris Inill Inrlneration
.Con day.
MONTE CARL$ March 8. The sudden
ness ot the deathfot former United States
Senator Edward ft). W'olcott Wednesday
night was a gre$t shock to his friends
here, in whose Jpompany he took ex
cursions and whoA he entertained until a
few days before lis final illness. He first
caught cold at Palermo, then went to
Cannes, and Anally came here. His cold
continued, but otherwise Mr. AVolcott ap
peared to be in good health.
He was a dally visitor at the casino,
where he took great interest in the play.
The former senator kept his room fpr two
days before calling a doctor.
PARIS, March J. The body of former
United States Senator Edward O. Wolcott
of Colorado, who died at Monte Carlo
Wednesday night. Is not expected to ar
rive here before night, when It will be
placed In a mortuary chapel to await the
obsequies Monday, which will be followed
by the cremation at Pere la Chaise. The
details of the funeral arrangements have
not yet been announced. The American
officials and many friends of the late sena
tor will participate. '
NO BREAK IMHE DEADLOCK
Missouri Legislature Will Vary the
Monotany by Taking; at Least
One Vote Saturday.
JEFFERSON C1TT, Mo., March a. The
thirty-seventh ballot of the Joint sessions
of the legislature had tittn effect upon
the deadlock over the selection of a United
States senator, although it marked two
more desertions from tho h i uljlicnn cau
cus nominee, Thomas . K. NiKdrmghaus.
The vote follows: Ntedrinplnius, 58; Ox'k
rell, 70; Kerens, 16; McKlnKy, I; Whyharlc,
IJ Mclndoe, 1. ..wy''7 .i,
Previous to the Joint sesj'ch ,tlic. hfiuso
refused to concur in the resolution adopted
by the senate providing for an adjourn
ment until Monday, and for the first time
since the deadlock the l"5ilature will ote
for a United States 3env.'jr qn a Saturday
LIVE STOCK MEN TO MEET
President flchnefer of New Associa
tion Calls Convention at
Denver for May 9.
DENVER, March 3. President Conrad
Schaefer of the American Stock Growers'
association, which was organized by the
seceders from the annual convention of
the National Live Stock association In
Denver last January, haa Issued a call for
the first annual convention of the new or
ganization to be held in Denver on May 9.
Permanent organization will be effected
and discussion of disease among live stock,
government inspection and the powers of
the Interstate Commerce commission will
come before the convention. Only actual
producers of live stock are asked to be
come members of the association.
Continued oa Fifth Psat j v
Big Illustrated
Features
of
Next Sunday's
Bee
1. Sherlock Holmss Mystery
The Adventure of the Solitary
Cyclist
2. Buster Brown's Pranks
Outcault's Slde-Spllttlng Juvenile
Humor
3. Wlm of Yo'jnz Millionaires
Lucky Brides of Toung American
Money Kings.
4. White House Table Flowsrt
Floral Decorations When the
President Entertains. ......
5. Black Bass Fishing
Prize Story of a Prize for Biggest
Catch in 19u6. .
6. LoTtmaklng of I Crown Prince
How Heir to German Throne
Treats Brlde-to-Be. ......
7. Father Schell, Red Mai's Champion
The Poor Priest Fighting Power
ful Reservation drafters. ....
SENDS A PARTIAL REPORT
President Withholds Fart of leef Trust
Findings to Assist Justice.
TELLS OF PRICES OF CATTLE AND BEEF
Praflts an Each Aalmal Not Large
and Conditions Have Been
Pheaomenal Daring
Part of Time.
WASHINGTON, March I. President
Roosevelt today transmitted to congress
the report of tha commissioner of corpora
tions on the beef industry, submitted in
compliance with the resolution of the house
of representatives adopted March 7, 1904.
The president's letter of transmittal is aa
follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa
tives: I transmit herewith a report from
the secretary of commerce and labor upon
that portion of the resolution of the house
of representatives, adopted March 7,
having to do with the prices of cattle and
dressed beef, the margin' being such prices
and the organisation, conuuet and profits
of the corporations engaged In the beef
parking Industry.
In view of the fact that the Depe -tment
of Justice i now engaged upon otnr mat
ters involved in the resolution, the secre
tary of commerce and labor cannot at this
time report thereupon.
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
W hue House, March 3, 19u6.
Gist of the Report.
The report of the commissioner of corpor
ations is to the effect that six packing
companies Armour A Co., Swift and Com
pany. Morris ft Co., The National Packing
company, the Schwnrzschild & Sulzberger
company and the Cudahy Packing company,
slaughtered In the year 1903 about 45 per
cent of the total Indicated slaughter In the
United States; that the average nef profit
in 1903 for three of tho companies was 99
cents per head; that the year 1902, Instead
of being one ot exorbitant profits, was less
profitable than uaual; that during the
month when prices of beef were the highest
some at least of the leading packers were
actually losing money on every head
slaughtered. The changes In the margin
between prices of cattle and beef are in
themselves no Indications whatever of the
change In profits, says the report. Prices
and conditions for the years 19t)2, 1903 and
1904 are reviewed, and the conclusions are
stated that the six companies especially
discussed are apparently not overcapital
ised.
Summary of Report.
A summary of the report follows:
That six packing companies Armour &
Co., Hwlfl and Company, Morris & Co.,
the National Packing company, the
Schwartachlld & Sulzberger company and
the Cudahy Packing company, Frequently
designated as "the Big Six" slaughtered
in the year 1HU3, 6,621, liH, head of cattle out
of a total indicated slaughter in the United
States of l,fKW,ou0 head, or about 46 per
cent.
That the average net profit for three com
panles the Armour, Swift and 8chwars
schlld for the twelve months ending June
30, Ii3, as shown by their actual book
Keeping records, was 99 cents per head, not
Including incidental profits mentioned be
low. That i'ue year 1908, Instead of being one of
exorbitant profits, aa has been commonly
supposed, was less profitable than usual.
The report says, In fact, that during the
months when prices of beef w the high
est some, at least, of the leading packers
were actually losing money on every head
of cattle slaughtered
That th- c.batme m tho margin between
the prices ot cattle and the prices of beef
are In themselves no Indication whatever
of the changes in tho profit i of the beef
business.
That tha margin between the price of
cattle and the price of beef during the year
1903, Instead of being unusually high, as
popularly supposed, was for each half of
that year lower than the margin for any
corresponding half year since 1898, and that
the Increase In the margin for the second
half of 1903 over the first half was no
greater than the similar change In other
years. An average margin, covering
total killings of cattle by most
of the packing houses In five leading
western markets and sales it beef at
twenty-four cities having a total popula
tion of about 10,000,000 persons was 32.81 per
hundredweight for January to June, 1902;
32.83 for July to December, 1902; t2.14 for
January to June, 1903; 32.41 for tne second
half of 1903, and $2.33 for the nrat half of
1904.
Conditions In 10O2 Abnormal.
That conditions In 1902 were abnormal and
that cattle prices for 1903 and 19u4 cannot
fairly be compared with that year. The
great prosperity of the country from 1899
to 1902 apparently led to a considerable In
crease in the per capita consumption of
beef- The practical failure of the corn
crop of 1901 Induced many cattle feeders to
send their stock to market in poor con
dition, thus reducing the average weight
per head and the average percentage of
dressed beef to live weight. As a result,
while the total number of cattle slaugh
tered at five leading western packing cen
ters during the first half of 1902 decreased
only about 1 per cent aa compared with the
first half of 1901, the total live weight of
the cattle alaughtered is computed to have
decreased 4.3 per pent and the computed
dressed weight decreased considerably
more. In this connection the report says:
"In the face of the strong demand the
price of cattle was forced to the highest
level ever known. The high prices of beef
which caused so much complaint among
consumers at this time were attributed
wholly to these abnormal cattle prices."
That In 1913 the price of cattle fell sharply
chleily because of a large increase In the
supply. The number of cattle killed in five
leading western markets during the first
half of 1903 waa more than 16 per cent
greater than during the first half of 1902
and on account ot the Increased size of
cattle the quantity ot beef produced in
creased 22 per cent.
Decline In Price.
In the second half of 1903 the quantity ot
beef derived from cattle killed at the same
markets waa about 10 per cent greater than
in the corresponding period ot 1902. Under
theise conditions the price of beef instead of
remaining at the high level ot 1902 fell dur
ing 1903 by a large absolute amount by
about the same percentage as the price of
cattle.
That the six leading packing, companies
especially discussed are apparently not
overcapitalized.
That the percentage of profit on the gross
volume of business, including hog and sheep
products ind ottu-r minor commodities, is
comparatively small. In the case of Swift
and Company, during the three years 19U2.
1903 and 1904 the profits have In no cose ex
ceeded X per cent of the total sales. In the
case of the Cudahy Packing company for
1904 the net profit was 1.8 per cent of the
total sales; in 1902 it was 2.3 per cent.
That the profit of private car linen In the
packing Industry on mileage Is a very lib
eral one, approximate computations indi
cating a net return of from 14 per cent to
about 17 per cent. Reckoning on the basis
of dressed beef transported however, this
profit would add but llttie to the cost of
such beef to the consumer, the net profit
from the mileage of private cars being com
puted at not more than 4 cents per 100
pounds of beef, or, say, IB cents per bead of
cattle.
Competition Exists.
The statement already mud-) that the six
large concerns mentioned lnugh'er!d In
19u3 only about 46 per cent of trm total
cattle killed In that year Indicates veiy
clearly the existence of active competition
by oi;her concerns, at least in many Ihi is.
This Is chiefly explained by the operations
of a large number of small sluiMhterlnir
establishments. Taking tne principal
slaughtering and distributing center-, the
proportion controlled by the six companies
mentioned la much greater.
For Instance, the six principal concerns
slaughter nearly 98 per cent of all the
cattle killed in the eight leading western
parking centers. namWy, Chiciigu, Kansas
(ity. South Omaha, East St. IuIr, Sooth
St. Joseph, Fort Worth, Sioux f.'ity and
South at. Paul. In the same way they
control a very large percent ge of the
trade In beef In many large il'l-s, pur
tlcularly In the east. In New Vrk they
furnish about 76 per cent; In Ho-itM, niira
than 6 per cent; In Philadelpnla, about (A
per cent: in Pittsburg, more tran t per
cent; in Providence, more than 't5 per cent;
In Baltimore, about 60 per cent, and In a
NEBRASKA WEATHER FORECAST
Fair Satarolay. gaaday Fair aad
Colder In the orth Portion.
Temperature at Omaha Yestert.y i
Hoar. Deer. Hoar. leer.
A a. m 4T 1 p. m...... 1
l a. m 4 a p. m T.I
T a. ni 4A S p. m Ti
H a. m ..... . 4.1 4 p. m Tit
R a. m 41 S p. m TM
HI a. in flu p. m T4
II i, K 7 p. m TO
la in l H p. m TO
p. m 07
SHOOTS HERSELF IN BREAST
Wife of Lieutenant Chandler of the
Twenty-Fifth Infantry Commits
Jalcide at Hotel.
Mrs. Iwil9 B. Chandler, wife of First
Lieutenant Ixuls B. Chnndler of the
Twenty-fifth I'nitM State Infantry of
Fort Niobrara, Neb., committed suicide by
shooting her.iclf In the left breast In her
room at the Paxton hotel about 9:30 o'clock
last nlsht.
Mrs. Chandler came to the hotel Wednes
day, accompanied by her son, Reese, aged
about 8 years. Her husband Is still at
Fort Niobrara, but has been notified by
telegruph of his wife's self-destruction.
Just prior to shooting herself Mrs,
Chandler asked the chambermaid to pre
pare the bath for her, and while the maid
was gone for that purpose she heard a
shot, and returning hurriedly to the room
found tho unfortunate woman lying on the
floor with the discharged pistol near her.
A bellboy was In the hallway at the 'mo
ment and the alarm was at once given.
Drs. Dandy, Sommers and Gllmore were
at once summoned, and It was at first
thought that the woman waa dead. Signs
of life soon became apparent and, while
It was thought that the wound Is fatal, she
had rallied somewhat at midnight.
Mrs. Chandler whs taken to Clarkson
hospital shortly after midnight. In order
that she might receive better care and at
tention, where she died about 1:30 without
regaining consciousness.
She left a scaled note on her dressing
table addressed to her husband.
There was nothing In her appearance
or actions during her stay nt the hotel
that Indicated Hny probability of her at
tempting to take her own life. She seemed
to be somewhat nervous, but aside from
this there was nothing that would at
tract noticeable attention to her.
VALENTINE, Neb., March 3. Special
Telegram.) Louis B. Chandler Is a lieu
tenant of Company D, Twenty-fifth In
fantry, at Fort Niobrara and Is well liked
by all. He stands high In social and mili
tary circles at Fort Niobrara.
SEVEN KILLED IN COLLISION
Special Trains Bearing; Cleveland
Partlea to Inauguration Wrecked
Near Pittsbnra-.
PITTSBURG, Pa., March 3. Seven men
were killed and a score of persons were in
jured tonight in a rear-end collision of spe
cial trains bound from Cleveland to Wash
ington on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne ft
Chicago railroad, carrying Ohio delegations
to the Inauguration. The first, train, of
seven cars, carried a battalion of Ohio Ns.
ttoeSUiliiigiraBilfC -It sfWdTak'tnif,
ton, eight miles west of Pittsburg;, to re-,
pair a hot bog. The second train, with the
same number of ears, carried the Tippe
canoe club of Cleveland, a band and twenty-five
women.
' The special trains were running close to
gether and the rear brakeman of the for
ward train did not have time to run back.
The engineer of the rear train said the
block signal light showed green and he ran
ahead, at forty-five miles an hour.
His locomotive plowed through the rear
Pullman of the forward train and half-way
Into a tourist sleeping car Just ahead. All
the officers of the engineer corps were In
these care and all the casualties occurred
in . them. The wreckage caught fire and all
the forward train and three cars of the
rear train were burned. New trains brought
the dead and Injured to Pittsburg. Captalrt
Charles E. Pope was the only officer of the
engineers' battalion to escape Injury, and
he will be In command of the battalion,
which will return to Cleveland. The Tippe
canoe club will continue on to Washington.
The dead:
CAPTAIN WILLIAM B. HENDRY, bat
talion surgeon.
LIEUTENANT DONALDSON C. 8CHO
FIELD, Company D, architect.
CORPORAL JAMES KEHOE.
PRIVATE H. R. HELD
FRANK PINNBY, aged 10 years, son of
Lieutenant O. C. Plnney.
TWO UNIDENTIFIED MEN.
RAILROADS LOSE OUT
Senate Passes Resolution for Amendment
Establishing Commission.
HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORTS RATE BILL
HEARING IN OIL CASE BEGINS
Taking- Depositions In Kansas Con
spiracy Case Will Commence
Tuesday.
Continued oa Fifth Page)
TOPEKA, Kan., March . Depositions
will be taken next Tuesday in the attorney
general's office, to be uaed In the cases
brought in the courts against the Santa
Fe and the Standard OH company.
Subpoenas were served today. Testimony
will be taken Thursday at Independence.
The witnesses there will be oil producers
and shippers.
Ah effort will "be made to show the al
leged illegal agreements which have been
made between the railroads, traffic bureaus
and the Standard Oil company.
Papers are being prepared for a suit
which will soon bo filed against the Prairie
Oil and Gaa company, the subsidiary com
pany of the Standard Oil company, which
runs the pipe line business of the Stand
ard company In Kansas. The suit will be
brought for the purpose of compelling the
Prairie OH and Gas company to abide by
the laws of the state and also to bring
out the supposed connection which this
company has with the Standard Oil com
pany In the matter Of discriminations and
agreements to prevent competition.
The Prairie Oil and Gas company has
compiled with the laws of Kansas, In re
gard to filing with the charter board of
the state the Information required. The
suit will ask the revocation of the
permit for the company to do business In
Kansas, If the charges are found to be
true. It has not been decided in what
court or In what city this suit will be
filed.
Movements ol Ocean Vessels March 8.
At New York Arrived: Citta Dl Pa
lermo, from Genoa.
At Queenstown Arrived: Campania, from
New York for Liverpool.
At Hamburg Arrived: Pretoria, from
New York.
At Naples Hailed: CKta Dl M llano, for
New York; Nw-kar. for New York. Ar
rived: Calabria, from New York.
At Trieste Arrived: Gullla, from New
York.
At Ixndon Arrived: Kingstonlsn, from
Philadelphia; lmcastrian, from Hoston.
At' Glasgow Arrived: Ontarlan, from
Tortland.
At Liverpool Sailed: Armenian, for New
York. Arrived: Corinthian, from St.
John's, N. H.
At Genoa Arrived: Prinsers Irene, from
New York, via Gibraltar and Naples; Can-
loplu, from Boat of
Makes No Beooamendations, HowsTer,'aa
to Its Merits.
FOUR OPrOSE REPORTING IT AT ALL
No Aotion Taken Yet by the Committee oa
tha Fi h Claim.
FRIENDS HAD HOPES TO HUSH MATTER UP
One Primary Election Bill Is Killed
and the Remaining Oaa la Likely
to Meet with the Same rata
oa Monday,
(From a Staff Correspondent.)
LINCOLN, March 3.-Spec!al Telegram.)
The anti-railroad element ot the leglala
turo today found occasion for great en
courngement in the passage by the senata
of the Cady Joint resolution for a con
stitutional amendment creating a stata
railroad commission, the return to tha
house by the railroad committee of tha
Fostcr-lmvls-Junkln commodity ' rate bill
and the recommendation for passage by
the suine committee of the Warner bill de
manding equal facilities to all shippers
and necesary accommodations to inde
pendent elevators.
All three of these measures had the
opposition of the allied railroads. Tha
action that has been taken strengthens
the belief of the anti-railroad members
that the legislature will enact laws cal
culated to afford the necessary relief In
the matter of railroad control and fulfill
the ante-campaign pledges for reform In
this direction In conformance with tha
policy enunciated and put Into effect by
President Roosevelt. Pro-Roosevelt men
find ample ground In the events of today
for the conviction that thin legislature will
acquit Itself of the charge of being dom
inated by the railroads and ailed corpora
tions. The prediction had been made that tha
railroad committee would not allow any
of the rate bills to get back to tha house,
and, while there may have been soma
grounds for this forecast, . slnca the
committee did not accompany Its report
on the commodity bill with any recom
mendation, it has come to light that tha
committee even felt the pressure of tha
popular will and discerned the conse
quences had It taken too pronounced a
stand In trying to prevent the house and
senate from having an opportunity of vot
ing on this measure.
Two Bills in Committee.
The Caldwell maximum freight rata and
the Harmon anti-pas i billa are still In the
hands of the railroad committee. If the
commodity rate . bill receives favorable
action In the house the committee will rec
ommend the Caldwell bill for Indefinite
postponement and , a -.eertatn fata awaits "'- ';
-tw-tHM..WU. which is liable to f.
fori eonslderable. Interest. ,
On the natter to report the eommadlrr
rate bill back to the houcc tha railroad corn-
mlttoe split and voted as ranami - For r-
porting the bill back (without raooniaani.
tlon), Windham, MeraClth, AtwooJ, Fiait-
back. Hill, Roberta. Rohrer, Junkln; '
against allowing the bill to go before the
house, Bscon, Copsey, Bartoo, HollletU.
More I.Isht on Fisher Case. '
. No action has yet been taken in the Allan
G. Fisher claim for til. 600 before the legis
lature, filed with the claims committee in
the escheat land case. Until tha publica
tion this morning of the entire' story it
had been the plan for a certain member of
the legislature who filed this Claim to ap
pear before the claims committee and make
a talk in Fisher's behalf and beg for the
withdrawal of the claim, the Idea being to
whitewash the whole affair so aa to fore
stall any unpleasant or embarrassing de
velopments. This meeting had been sched
uled for 1:15 today, everything being dona
very quietly, but somehow things didn't
keep as well as expected and the meeting
was cancelled. Now the parties interested
are not Just ready to say what Is the best
thing to be done. Fisher's friends would
like extremely well to have tha claim with- V
drawn and the matter hushed up, but tha
committee does not seem to tsks to thla
very heartily and It Is understood the com
mittee has the cordial endorsement of tha
attorney general In Its position.
A correspondent for The Bee this morn
ing was shown papers on file In the state
auditor's office showing where Fisher had
certified that the amount of thla claim, that
la the amount the board of appraiser .
placed on this escheated land, was $8,000,
and underneath his sworn statement was
the signature of the district clerk In Sioux
county, certifying, not to this statement of
Fisher's but certifying that Fisher made
this certification. This clerk was W. J. A.
Braun, who himself was one of the board
of appraisers that valued this land and
fixed the valuation at $1,500 and whose affi
davits to that effect are now on file In tha
state house. ,
Lawyer Tips It Oft.
The question haa been asked during tha
last few days since the discrepancy over
this claim has arisen. "Why was not this
question raised In 1901 and 18 when Fisher
filed his claims for 18,000?" The answer Is
that no one seemed to have any special
knowledge or at least recollection of tha
matter. It was brought to the attention
of the clulms' committee this time by, a cer
tnln lawyer out In the weatern part of tha
state who was conversant with the whol
matter and who, probably, did not bear tha
best feeling toward Judge Fisher. It Is true,
however, that March 22, 1901, Attorney Gen
eral Prout addressed a letter to H. E. Wil
cox, chairman of the claims committee at
that time, advising him that he (Prout)
hnd looked Into this claim of 18,0(10 some
what and had found It to be of questionable
validity, and on the strength of Prout'g
communication the committee tossed tha
claim aside, but still no fraud was appre
hended and no Investigation made. At least
It was said no fraud was apprehended;
Just what settlement will be made of thla
case Is not now certain. A criminal prose
cution Is Intlmuted. Attorney General
Brown Is out of the city and nothing could
be learned at his office today aa to what
his course will be.
Primary Bill Killed.
The temper ot the legislature on the ques
tion of primary elections waa manifested In
the house this afternoon when that body
voted for the Indefinite postponement at tha
McMullen bill. The bill provided for the
primary election law tor nominating candi
dates In all save state offices and provided
for the nomination of candidates for the
I'nlted States senate by this method. Tha
house Induged In a heated and prolonged
debate on the subject.
Tu Dodge WU U next on the general flia