Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, March 04, 1905, Image 1
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