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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 29, 1905)
THE BEE IS THE PREFERRED ADVER. TISING MEDIUM IN ITS TERRITORY The Omaha Daily B EE. FOR A CHARACTERISTICALLY WEST ERN NEWSPAPER READ THE BEE ESTABLISHED JUNE 19, 1871. OMAHA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAKCH 21, 1905 TEN PAGES. SINGLE COPY TIII.EE CENTS. PEACE NOW IN SIGHT Einsia Outlines Condition Under Which it it Prepared to Open Negotiation. QUESTION ASSUMES PRACTICAL SHAPE Good Office! of United States and France 8tarU the Ball Rolling. DELCASSE WILL PROBABLY BE ENVOY French Minister to Act as Intermediary Between Rnssia and Japan. RUMOR OF ANOTHER BURNING MOVEMENT A burner of Official and Private Dis patches from I'olnta Brlovr Harbin ('ri Apprehension at St. Petersburg. ST. PETERSBURG, March 28. Russia has outlined the conditions under which It Is prepared to negotiate peace. It was stated tonight with every sem blance, of authority that, thankjf to the good offices of the United States and France, the question of peace had as sumed practical shape. No Information at Washington. WASHINGTON, March 28. Diligent In quiry tonight failed to develop what, if any, assistance this government had been in the .way of bringing about preliminary nego tiations for peace between Russia and Japan, but Inasmuch as nearly all the American officials likely to have kuowledge of auch a matter were at social functions or otherwise Inaccessible, the Inquiry necessarily was not complete. A prominent head ' of one of the diplomatic establish ments here, when shown the St. Petersburg statement, said that he had not received any word from his government on the sub ject for several days and had heard noth ing to confirm the report. At the same time he would not be astonished to learn of Its accuracy, though he had not expected mat ters to reach that stage as yet. Delcasse to Be Peace BnTOr, LONDON, March 28. (6:42 p. m.) A tele gram from a northern European capital re ceived In London this afternoon says: I have just learned on reliable authority that Russia has asked Delcusse to act as Intermediary and open peace negotiations with Japan. Delcasse has signified his willingness, but considers that Lansdownea co-operation Is aaauUal to success. Japanese Minister Doobts Story. LONDON, March 28. "When peace- nego tlaWneeennMoeettw11l be between Rua la and japan direct and not through any Intermediary," was Minister Hayashl'a comment to the Associated Press tonight when shown the dispatch from a northern European capital stating that M. Delcasse, the French foreign minister, had been asked to act as an Intermediary to open peace negotiations. Minister Hayashl said he attached no Importance to the statement, but believed that France was trying to in fluence Russia to open negotiations for peace. Rnmor of Turning Movement. LONDON, March 29. The Times' St. Petersburg correspondent telegraphs as fol lows: "The entire absence of private and press telegrams from the front, together with a laconic message from General Line vltch tonight, dated Harbin, and saying, No reports from the - armies,' evolves fear that communications have been cut and that the Japanese have turned the Russian positions." Japanese Drive Russians. GUNSHU PASS. Manchuria, March 28. The Japanese are again moving forward and the Russian guard has fallen back from its position, about thirteen miles north of Blplnghal, (seventy-four . miles north of Tie Pass), to Chaoumiaodzl, which is situated forty miles below Uunshu Pass. .Practically complete reports show that the Russian army sacrificed general com mlaaluriat stores to the amount of $1,260, 000, and stores for an army corps amount ing to $600,000, held at Mukden, most of it being set on fire, the boots and uniforms among the stores of which the whole army was in need, arriving from Europe four days before tlio Russian retirement from Mukden. General Kouropatkln ordered the removal of the stores, but his order was not executed. An investigation will be made to establish the responsibility. Japanese Clear llattlelleld. WITH Tlltl JAPANESE ARMIES IN THE FIELD, March 28. (Via Fusan, 11 a. ni.) The Japanese urmy near Muk den la clearing the battlefield, sorting the enormous quuntttles of stores and mater. Ial4 captured and attending to ' the pris oners. Engineers are rapidly repairing the rail road bridge across the Hun river, which was badly damaged by the Russians. Trains 4 re now running to the Hun river. They will reach Mukden in a few days. The weather is very warm and the ground is thawing rapidly, making the movement of guns and transport wagons dlltlcult. Seutl-Pauio on lioarse, ST. PETERSbLRO, March 28. (3:28 p. m.) A aeml-putiic prevailed on the bourse here today. Russian Imperial ts foil a point, to ftot. PARIS, March 2 The tune on the Bourse today was heavy. Russians were weak, upon a denial of the report that the Im perial council had decided to open peace Negotiations. A general stagnancy pre vailed and the market ciused heavy. Rus sian Imperial 4s were quoted at to &0 and Russian bonds of 19ol at y'd. The private rale of discount wa 2. per cent. scramble for Japanese Loan. LONDON, March lis. When the pros pectus of the Japanese war loan of $lou, wjO.ixw was Usueu today the neighborhood of the issuing banks resembled l lie scenes witnessed oil first night's popular theater. Long Huts of ptjopie were struggling for admission and special forces of police con trolled the streams of eager iuvestois. The interiors of the banks were filled with shouting crowds struggling to snatch pros pectuses. Husslnus Out of French Haters. TAMATAVE, Madagascar, March 88. It has been definitely ascertained that the whole Russian Second 1'aciflo squadron left the waters of Madagascar March U fur an luikuwwu destination STRANGE DISEASE ON M0L0KAI Army flurgeon. Hospital Corps and Rarer Will Make Inveatlaa tlon In Hawaii. HONOLtl.r, March 2. Thp interlsland steamer Likellke, chartered by the terri torial government, has left for I'elekunu valley, on Molokal, carrying Army Sur geon Yost, eight men of the hospital corps and two nurses. It is a relief expedition, sent out on account of reports of an epi demic in the form of an unknown sick ness, believed to lie typhoid fevor. Eight deaths have already taken plnce and there are other cases. There Is no doctor on the island, outside of the practically Inaccessi ble leper settlement. The population of the valley is small and consists entirely of natives. Many have left since the sick ness began. A. C. L. Atkinson, secretary of the territorial government, accompanies the exiied'tlon. , One report made to Governor Carter, which is being Investigated, suggests poi soning, and says there is a native poison tree In the valley and that the deaths re sult from a feud. Revolt In Persia. ASKHABAD, Caucasus, Russia, March 28. Refugees from Kucham. Persia, report that the palace of the khan is besieged by an armed mob. The popular resent ment against him Is intense in consequence of the allegation that he has been ex ploiting the people. The refugees charge that Mohammedans from Baku are respon sible for exciting the population against the Christians. Arabian Inaurarente Make Oalna. CONSTANTINOPLE, March 28. Accord ing to a dispatch from Hodeida, dated March 25, the town of Sanaa, capital of Yemen province, Arabia, was still holding out when the message was filed, but Yama, Yerlm and Aneysa, southward of Sanaa, and Hadlah, northward, have fallen into the hands of the Insurgents and th mountain fortress of Ibb was surrounded. DENY STORY OF A MERGER Canadian and Xc-vr York Railroad Men Say Report la Absolutely Unwarranted. TORONTO, Canada, March 28-Denlal was made today of the report that the New York Central had gained control of Cana dian electric roads by Frederic Nleholls, who Is connected with the Electrical Devel opment company and other electric con cerns. Mr. Nleholls said the Electrlo De velopment company Is a purely Canadian enterprise. No negotiations of any kind, he added, have been entered Into with any cor poration or person for relinquishing control by the present owners. NEW YORK, March 28.-The report that the New York Central & Hudson River rail road has completed negotiations to absorb several Canadian street railway lines be tween Buffalo and Toronto was denied to day at the offices of President Newman of the New York Central, where It was tid that the New York Central was not under taking to secure possession of any street railways In Canada, neither directly nor through any other corporation. The report declared that the New York Central would absorb the Buffalo Street railway, Niagara, St. Catharine St Toronto, Hamilton, Grimsby and Beamsrllle railway and the Hamilton Radiol railroad. It was also reported that electric lines would be extended to Detroit and Coburg. WESTERN MATTERS AT CAPITAL Rural Rontes Established and Car riers Appointed by the Department. (From a Staff Correspondent.) WASHINGTON. March 28. (Special Telegram.) Rural free delivery route No. 4 has been ordered established May 1, at Oakland, Pottawattamie county, la., serv ing 388 people, and ninety-seven houses. Rural carriers appointed: Nebraska, Guide Rock, route 1, Lloyd C. Farquhar, carrier; Carl F. Bcherbacher, substitute. Mlnden, route 2, William H. Thompson, carrier; Luther W. Monroe, substitute. Wilcox, route 2, Louis Mlnkner, carrier; Henry Mlnkner, substitute. Iowa, Dun lap, route 1, Irving D. Cover, carrier; Emily M. Cover, substitute. Little Sioux, route 1, Elbert Stucker, carrier; William H. E. Eyer. substitute. The First National bank of Parkston, S. D., today wa authorised to begin busi ness with 125,000 capital. Christian Romp for la president, John Deerlng, vice presi dent; J. S. Mueller, cashier. HURRY WORK ON THE DAM New York Taken Steps to Preserve the New Reservoir at Croton. NEW YORK, March 28. No break has yet occurred In the 15.000,000 dam forming the New Croton reservoir, which was menaced yesterday by a 'flood of water from the great Croton water shed. Workmen are re inforcing the structure at all points of dan ger and a patrol has been established to give immediate warning should a break threaten. The village of Croton Landing, with a population of 1,100, Is one mile be low. During the last week the water has been gradually rlBlng In the reservoir and for two or three days It had been running over tho spillway of the dam. Yesterday, how ever, the gates were opened and the water was allowed to run Into the Croton river. It is not believed today that there is any danger of a collapse of the gates of the dam. MORMONS BUY AN OLD JAIL Building In Which Joseph Smith Was Killed Will Be a Mission House. CHICAGO, March 28.-A special to the Post from Cartilage. 111., says that be cause of historical associations the mem bers of the Mormon church have pur chased for $i0,0ou the old Jull here, where the first prophet and the founder of the faith met a tragic death at the hunds of a mob. The old structure was not worth over $1,500. It Is proposed to establish a mission church In the building. In this connection, announcement that the Mormons are coming back to Illinois after the lapse of half a century and are to establish three new churches has caused comment. The fact that the church is to make Carthage a headquar ters In Illinois may be followed by public action in opposition. FIRE RECORD. Heavy Loss la Kentucky. MADISONV1I.LE. Ky., Msrch 28.-Fire at Hanson, Ky., early today destroyed property valued at between IjO.uuO and tlnO, OuO, Including churches, tobacco factories, business bouse and residences. ARMOUR MAN IS INDICTED Superintendent of Packing Plant Charged with Interfering with Witness, ACCUSED OF COACHING JOHN E. SHIELDS Indictment Alles.es that He Also At tempted to Influence Testimony of Other Witnesses In Beet Investigation. CHICAGO, March &. The federal grand Jury tonight returned an indictment against Thomas J. Connors, general superintendent of Armour A Co., on a charge of Inter fering with a witness summoned to appear before the Jury now investigating the so called Beef trust. Mr. Connor, who Is J. Ogden Armour's most confidential em ploye and the active head of one of the largest packing companies In the world, was arrested on a bench warrant by a United States deputy marshal and brought to the grand Jury room, where he ai released on $"1,000 bond. After his re lease Mr. Connors refused to discuss the matter. Charges In Indictment. The Indictment charges that John Ed ward Shields of Brooklyn, a former em ploye of Armour & Co., who testified be fore the grand Jury, was approached, fa vored and entertained by Mr. Connors and specifically states that on March 25 the offense upon which Mr. Connors was in dicted occurred. It Is also charged that Shields was given the use of Armour & Co.'s office at 206 La Sullo street to trans act his business while in Chicago and also the use of a private telegraph wire In the office of the packing company. Another allegation is that Shields was entertained by Connors and that Connors suggested to the proposed witness that he should testify favorably to Armour & Co. and not tell all that he knew concerning the matter under investigation. The second count of the Indictment charges that Mr. Connors did not limit his attempt at in fluencing witnesses to Mr. Shields, but that other witnesses who have not as yet appeared In Chicago have been approached by him and attempts made to Influence them as to the nature of the testimony they would give before the Jurors. Shields an Important Witness. When the special grand Jury convened last week Shields was one of the first wit nesses to appear. He came to Chicago from New York. He had testified before a grand Jury sitting In New York and there is said to have divulged facts which led the federal officials to believe him In possession of many other details con cerning the question under consideration. He was requested to come to Chicago and the federal officials were Instructed to watch the man closely. Two men were detailed to watch Shields. One of these secret service men obtained Shields' con fidence and thus learned facts which doubled the precautions of the government to prevent any of the witnesses from be ing coached Shields was followed by these detectives and It was learned that he fre quented the offices of Armour & Co., hav ing a private wire at his disposal and ans wering all his private correspondence there. Every move of Shields was closely watched. The matter reached a climax .yesterday when one of the secret service men submit ted a report to his superiors. Today Shields was In the grand Jury room from o'clock to 6 o'clock. The section of the statutes under which the Indictment was drawn provides that any person who Interferes with a witness shall be subject to a fine of $500 or im prisonment for three months, or both. R. Budatz, department manager for Ar mour & Co. at Omaha, and Edward Welch of Armour & Co. at Kansas City, were the only other witnesses besides Shields that were heard today. LOSS BY TORNADO IS HEAVY One Person Is Fatally Injured lu Storm Which Sweeps Over Minnesota. ST. PAVL, March 28. A dispatch from Appleton, Minn., says that of the seven persons Injured aa a result of the tornado which destroyed the village of Lewlsburg, one Is fatally hurt. Every business house In town waa either demolished or badly damaged, and most of the houses In the village were unroofed. From Breckenrldge, on the Waterloo branch of the Great Northern, a relief train was dispatched to Lewlaburg as soon as news of the storm was received. Most of the people escaped serious in Jury by getting into their cellars. Fred Moen, who waa In his cellar, was carried 200 feet, and though seriously In jured, will recover. The tornado was preceded by hail. It is not believed that much damage was done outside of town. The Interstate, Northwestern and Mc Caul & Webster grain elevators were de molished and their contents were scattered over miles of ground. OTTAWA. Kas., March 28. The high wind and rain In this city and vicinity caused more or less damage. Twelve per sons were Injured, one seriously. The rain fell in a torrent. In the northeastern part of Ottawa four dwelling houses were de molished and many outbuildings were wrecked. The house of Frank Bruner was shattered, Bruner waa cut and his wife was seriously hurt. At the pipe line camp northeast of Ottawa many tenta were car ried away and ten of their occupants, workingman, were slightly hurt. Telegraph and telephone lines were demolished. COUNTERFEITERS AT DENVER Called States Authorities at Work on Scheme Said to Cover Country, DENVER, March 28.-The Newa today says that a counterfeiting scheme, rivum In Its proportions and rich In results, which nas aa its neld the whole of the I'nlted States, has lust been unearths t,v h- h eral authorities. A number of government secret agents are now In Denver follolwng clues Which are said to have led ik.m i believe that the headquarters of the gang are locatea In thla city. The operations, of the aald to extend all the way from New York to Han rranclsco and so fnr It Is believed something like $50,000 has been secured in the larger cities of the country. The counterfeit Is one of the best dupli cates of the "Buffalo series" of $10 and $20 bills which has ever come to the attention of the federal authorities. A description of the counterfeits as furnished by the I'nlted States secret service follows: Series 1901. No. 23613972; face plate, 159; back plate, hj check letter, D; signed Lyons, register; Roberts, treasurer; portraits of Lewis and Clark. The counterfeits are a shade darker than tha genuine. OBJECT TO THE HYDE PLAN Policy Holders of Equitable Lite Ask New York to With hold A, iproval. ALBANY, N. Y., arch 28. Superintend ent Hendricks of th state Insurance de partment heard arguments today on the application of a committee organised at the Instance of John D. Crimmlns of New York and representing many policy holders of the Equitable Life Assurance society In support of the request that he withhold his approval of the mutualixutlon plan pro P'wd for the company and adopted at a recent meeting of its board of directors. This plan Is the one said to be favored by James H. Hyde, holder of a majority of the capital stock of the company. The proposed amendment to the charter of the company by which It is Intended to carry into operation the plan of mutuallzatlon, provides that there shall be a reorganisa tion of the board of directors by the elec tion of thirteen new directors each year during the coming four years, of which seven will represent the policy holers and six the stockholders. The amendment also provides that all policy holders who have paid their second year's premiums on poli cies for $1,000 or more shall be entitled to vote. In person or by proxy, at the annual meeting of the society. Superintendent Hendricks of the state Insurance department today postponed for one week the hearing on the protest of the so-called Crimmons committee, repre senting many policy holders of the Equit able Life Assurance society, against the plan of "mutuallsing" that society adopted at the recent meeting of the directors. ' The postponement waa decided In spite of a strong protest made by Thomas Spratt of Ogdensburg; representing policy holders of that city. GROWTH OF JRON INDUSTRY President of New York Concern Re fers to Present Condition of Trnde. NEW YORK, March 28.-A decrease of $1,102,004 in Its net earnings for the year ended November 30 last, is shown in the annual report of the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron company, made public today. The company's total profits for the year, after deducting a loss by the North Alabama Furnace company of $27,027, were $771.3i7, a decrease of $1,091,676; The net earnings were H93.637, a decrease of $1,102,004, and the surplus of the year, after payment of dividends, was $14,637, a decrease of $1,102, 003. President J. C. Maben In his report says: The fiscal year of your company, which ended November 30, 1904. was. in some respects, one of the moet disappointing and trying in the history of the company. Notwithstanding that the country whs overflowing with wealth, that prosperity was widespread, and the balance of for eign trade was largely In favor of this country, the year opened with -a weak and declining Iron market, with the price of No. 2 foundry close to $9, and, despite sev eral feeble efforts to advance the price, remained at this figure for about nine months, so the profits of the company from pig Iron were based upon deliveries for the entire year, at an average price of only n fraction above $9, against an average price for tho previous four years of $12.55. Had this average of $12.55 been maintained last year,Mlie profits on Iron for the year, owing to Increased output and decreased cost, would have been $1,(500, 000, against $1,139,146 the previous year, when the price of Iron delivered averaged $13.68. The production of Iron ore for the year was about 100,000 tons less than in 1903, owing to a strike of miners. The produc tion of coal shows an Increase of 123,194 tons over that of 1903. WILD PANIC IN FACTORY Men and Women Injured In Attempt to Escape from Burning Building;. NEW YORK, March 28. A trifling blaze caused by the ignition of a newspaper from a spark from an electrical apparatus. In the shirtwaist factory of Max Roth, which occupied the five upper floors of a six-story building In Walker street today, started a panic among ;he 300 girls employed there. There Is but one exit, besides the fire escape, this being a narrow steep stairway, leading from all the floors. When the cry of Are was raised the girls crowded down the stairway, falling over and trampling upon each other and before all were out a dozen of them fainted from fright and slight Injuries. The panic waa increased by the conduct of some of the men em ployes, who trampled on the women In their own haste to escHpe. One girl's hip was fractured. In the fifth floor a foreman tried to hold the door In the face of the frenzied em ployes In the floor so that they should not Join the crowd on the stairs. A young Italian drew a knife and threatened to cut the foreman to pieces If ho did not open the door. The foreman did so and the crowd rushed through to Join the mass already crowding the stairways. POWDER MILLS ARE BLOWN UP New Plant of Dupont Company Near Troy, N. V., Destroyed Four Men Killed. TROY. N. Y.. March 28. Three men were killed outright and another so badly injured that he died a few hours later, by an explosion at the Schaghtlcoke pow der mills near this city today. The men killed were: JAMES WHITE. CHARLE8 COLBCRN. JAMES SPRAGl'E. ALBERT BARTLETT. The men were at work In the corning mill when the explosion occurred, and the cause Ms not known. The bodies of three of the victims were blown to fragments, the fourth victim. White, was found 300 feet away, alive, but he could not re cover. It Is a remarkable fact that there was no fire among the buildings succeed ing the explosion. The explosion caused a great amount of damage to windows in Valley Falls and Schaghtlcoke, and the shock was plainly felt in this city. The buildings destroyed were practically new, having replaced, those blown up May 10 of last year, at which time two employes were killed. Governor Folk at New York. NEW YORK. March 28 -Governor Joseph W. Folk of Missouri was the guest of honor and the principal speaker at n banquet of the Missouri society at the Waldorf-Astoria tonliiht. At the right of the governor sat District Attorney Jerome, who also made a brief address. Ir. Henry W. Prltchett, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and William Hepburn Russell wore among the other speakers. Otis Bolts la Uullt.' PEORIA, III., March 28-"tl Botts, 21 years old. was Unlay found guilty of mur dering his girl wife and punishment fixed at death The youthful defendant laughed as he left ths court room. The crime was committed January PRIZE LANDED FOR 0MA1I1 Formal Order Issued Making it Sural Mail Division Headquarters CHARLES E. LLEWELLYN SUPERINTENDENT Rumor that Land Commissioner Rich ards is to Re Investigated Is Dis credited at Capital and Denied by Hitchcock. (From a Staff Correspondent.) WASHINGTON, March 28. (Special Tele gram.) The order establishing division headquarters of the rural mall delivery servlco at Omaha and removing to that point the rural delivery district headquar ters at Kansas City was issued at the Post office department today. With this order was an announcement that Postmaster General Cortelyou had appointed Charles E. Llewellyn of Nebraska a division super intendent and assigned him to take charge of tho rew headquarters. The change will take place April 17, when the three clerks who have composed the force under the supervision of I'ostofflce Inspector J. R. Harrison will be transferred to the force that will be appointed for the work under Superintendent Llewellyn. The district of which Omaha will be the headquarters will remain as at present, jronsistlng of the states of Kansas, Ne braska and Oklahoma and the Indian ter ritories. It was said at the Postofflce department that the headquarters of Inspector Harri son would remain In Kansas City, but that no part of the rural delivery would be done from there, as the department had decided to separate that work from the work of the postoffice Inspectors In the new division. The rural delivery headquarters in Kansas City were established July 1, 1904. The officials here decided to remove them to Omaha two weeks ago, but this action was delayed at the Instance of Sen ator Long, who endeavored to bring about an agreement by which they would not be disturbed. Postmaster General Cortelyou, however, decided that the district was not large enough to Justify the Postoffice de partment in maintaining headquarters at two places. Order Is a Compromise. The Omaha headquarters will be In the nature of a concession to the Nebraska delegation in congress, which for several months has sought to have the rural de livery work of the entire west concen trated at Omaha. Under the plan It pro posed to the Postoffice department that all of the states went of the Missouri were to comprise a single division, with head quarters at Omaha. This proposition was favorably cons.d ered by Postmaster General Wynne and had he remained at the head of the Post offlce department probably It would have been adopted. Mr. Cortelyou, however, de cided that tho proposed consolidation of the Western districts would be Impractical. Mr. Llewellyn as superintendent at Omaha will receive a salary of $2,400. It Is generally , thought at the Postofflce department that the Omaha division will continue as now constituted until the be ginning of the next fiscal year, when re arrangements of six, divisions will be made. There will fco rw change In the following divisions: Spokane, embracing the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Mon tana; San Francisco, embracing California and Nevada; Denver, embracing Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona; St. Paul, embracing Minnesota, North and South Dakota. These divisions will con tinue under the direction of postofflce in spectors, but who have had the rural free delivery added to their work by reason of the small number of cases pending, except In the St. Paul division, which haa more than all the other divisions named. The establishment of a division of rural free delivery at Omaha means that four teen rural agents will be placed directly under the charge of Mr. Llewellyn and the clerks now at Kansas City will be trans ferred to Omaha. Mr. Llewellyn received his appointment on two grounds, first because he has. made a most excellent record in tho field and second because he was backed by the Nebraska delegation seconded by the sen ators from Iowa and a number pf rep resentatives from that state. Richards May Be Investigated. Mildly sensational stories are printed In Washington today indicating that an In vestigation Is to bo started In the general land office which would result in the re moval of Commissioner W. A. Richards. Secretary Hitchcock, when asked about this replied, "that it had no foundation in fact, and admitted that nothing had been done that Justified any man to Inti mate that Commissioner Richards would be removed." The stories in question in timate that Commissioner Richards and his chief clerk has abused the privilege of promoting clerks and employes in their office; have required landoffice clerks to prepare speeches for members of con gress, and hint at other acts specified. There is no government official in Wash ington with whom the president is bet ter pleased or In whom he has more con fidence than Commissioner Richards, and there Is no official who would welcome a thorough Investigation of his office any quicker thaa Richards. While it is pos sible there may be an Investigation, it Is not anticipated It will reflect on Richards. There Is an investigation In progress as to the methods by which promotions have been made by men closer to Secretary Hitchcock than Commissioner Richards, and the men huve put In circulation the stories which tend to create the impres sion that there is something rotten in the landoffice. Commissioner Richards Is now In the west, but other landoffice officials declare there Is nothing to fear from an investiga tion if one should be made. A careful In vestigation falls to disclose any ground for the report that a scandal Is brewing In the landoffice. Barber Is Discharged. The case of Charles J. Barber, formerly of Omaha, an alleged bankrupt, was finally disposed of today by Justice Anderson of the supreme court of the District of Co lumbia. Attorneys from Omaha and Chi cago, with counsel of thla city, appeared In court yesterday and claimed Mr. Barber had sold out an insurance business at Omaha about four years ago for $115,000; that he had ever since been lu hiding and Judgments had been obtained against him by the Home Fire Insurance company and others aggregating $25,000, growing out of the sale of the Insurance company. Mr. Barber thereupon admitted his bankruptcy. He contended the Judgments were fraudu lently obtained; that he had nut been in hiding, hut had resided In this city fnr two years to the knowledge of his creditors and he was without any assets whatsoever other thun $K) or $500, which he had on his person. At the conclusion of the examination be. fore Justice Anderson attorneys represent ing Mr. Barber, moved he be dismissed from NEBRASKA WEATHER FORECAST Fair Wednesday. Thursday Fair and Warmer. Temperature at Omaha Yesterday! (Continued on Second Fg Hour. n l T R f IO 11 12 Ilea. Hour. 4 4.1 41 44 4.1 4)1 4.H AO lira. . . 41 . . .VI . . nt . . .11 . . .V! .. ni . . ni . . 4 . . 4T WATER COMPANY ENJOINS CUT Commissioner Temporarily Re strained from 1 ndrrtaklnu; to Reduce Water Hates. A restraining order was Issued by Judge M linger of the federal court late yester day afternoon at the request of the Omaha Water company forbidding the Omaha Water board to attempt to reduce the water rales under the new law. The docu ment was served on the members of the board alxiut 4 o'clock at the city hall, where they had gathered to discuss the subject of cutting the rates. The matter was immediately taken under consideration and after considerable talk the board held a special formal session and authorized Member Congden to employ counsel to con test the case. Adjournment was then taken. Mr. Congden said he had not de cided what lawyers to employ, but It Is presumed that Carl C. Wright, former city attorney, will be one of them. "We propose to contest this attempt to prevent us from acting under the law In the bejt manner that we know how and to attempt to get the matter sctled Just as soon' as possible," said Chairman Boyd. "The injiin.inn was a surprise to me. but possibly not to some of the other members of the board." The hearing on the temporary injunction is set for Saturday morning at 9 o'clock in the I'nlted States district court. The pe tition under which It Is nsked Is a long one and quotes city ordinances on the sub ject and goes Into the whole history of the water works as regards rates and changes of ownership, etc. The order Is asked for on the broad ground that the company has a contract with the city prescribing cer tain maximum rates, and that no person or corporation has the right to alter the conract in Bny way without the consent af loth parties and regardless of any law or laws that may he passed upon tho sub ject by the state legislature. PECULIAR SHOOTING AFFAIR Man Working In Field Hit ly Parties Who Kvldently Did Kot Intend It. T-ouls Czuchs, a farmer living about a mile and a half southwest of Ruser's park, was shot and severely but not dangerously wounded yesterday afternoon about 5 o'clock while In a field plowing. The cir cumstances indicate that the shooting was accidental. The bullet, probably from a 32 callber rifle, entered the left side about midway of the body and pursuing a diagonal course enme out near the back bone. Czuchs aoarcely realised at first that he had been shot,, and it was only after he had examined himself that he saw the wound might be a serious one. He waa able with out much Inconvenience to unhitch his team and take it to his house. He then notified Sheriff Power of the shooting and Deputy Sheriffs Cunningham and Sherry Imme diately went to Czuchs house. It was lenrned that Czuchs did not have any idea of who It was who did tho shoot ing. It appears that three boys were seen about the time of the shooting passing along the road some distance away from where Czuchs was plowing. One of them was carrying a rifle. It Is recalled that the boya had gone by and were out of sight when the shooting occurred. If the shoot ing waa done by one of these boys it seems probable they were shooting at some game and did not know that Czuchs was In range. No tface of them could be found by the deputies, although their Identity may be fixed today. Czuchs was brought to the city and taken to the Central hospital. The examination there disclosed the fact that the wound was not a dangerous one. unless blood poisoning should set in. No Incision was made to determine whether any Internal organ waa Injured, the superficial examina tion showing that this was Improbable. STATUS OF ROCKEFELLER GIFT Conajresratlonal Committee Considers Acceptance of Donation and Will Announce Decision Today. BOSTON, March 28,-Poaltlve action whs taken on the question of accepting John D. Rockefeller's gift of $100,000 to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign missions at a meeting this ufter noon of the Prudential committee of the organization, but tho nature of the action was not disclosed. The committee, how ever, unnounced officially, that a state ment reciting the decision of the commit tee would be given out tomorrow after the report, which Is In the form of resolutions, hud been officially communicated to a committee appointed at a meeting of Con gregational clergymen of Boston nnd vi cinity to protest ugainst the acceptance of the Rockefeller gift. Dr. James L. Barton, foreign secretary of tho board, said today that already $41,000 of the gift was In the treasury and the ques tion to be decided at today's meeting was therefore whether this aniuuut should be returned or whether it should be retained and the balance accepted. MILWAUKEE J3ENIES STORY Chairman of Board of Directors Says Only Kxtenslnus Will Be In Dakota. NEW YORK, March 28. Reports that the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad company is considering the expenditure of $100,0(0,000, or any like sum, for extraor dinary improvement to the system was denied today by Roswell Miller, chairman of the board of director.. A sum not ex ceeding $6(0,000 will be Serit In extending the system In the Dakotas, but beyond this, according to Mr. Miller, no further im provements are under consideration. As for the story that the St. Paul road Is considering the advisability of extending Its lines to the Pacific coast, Chairman Miller said that this matter has not been discussed even casually by the board. Movement of Ocean Yeaarla March SIS. At New York Arrived: Ryndam from Rotterdam. At I oiidon Arrived: Mlnneliuha, from New York. At Messina Arrived: Mnltke, from Medlterrean orts en cruise. At Uverpoul Hailed: Hernia, for Boston. At Bremen Balled; Chemnitz, (or Nifcv GRINDING ON BILLS Both Branches of the Legislature Going Ahead at Express Train Speed. HOUSE IS CLEAR OF IMPORTANT BILLS Senate Has Several Yet to Aot Upon Among Them Appropriations. KYI ELEVATOR BILL PASSED BY HOUSE Senate in Committee of the Whole Recom mends Biennial Ejection. i Yuik. CHANCES FOR B.NDER TWINE BILL SLIM Indication at Present Session Will .Not F.nd Thursday a Antici pated and Will Last Oat the Week. (From a Staff Correspondent.) LINCOLN, March 28-(8peclal Telegram.) This, the sixty-first day of the session In the house and the sixtieth in the senate, was a busy one in both branches of tha legislature, being, devoted entirely to rou tine matter. Bill after bill waa passed la each house and the grind did not cease In the lower branch until the conclusion of the session at a lute hour tonight. Tho senate, however, has not yet seen fit to hold night sessions. Many members of th house do not see ths practicability of it. They believe that the state would be far better off if a sifting committee was ap pointed and the bulk of the remaining incus u res disposed of through the sieve of this functionary. But through the persist ent efforts of the speaker the pitting com mittee is staved off and the house kept at work. None of the remaining bills are of more than passing Importance. Many of them will only encumber the statute booka. Indications are that Thursday noon, tha time ilxed by Joint resolution for adjourn ment, will find both house and senate still busy and that the legislature will not ad journ Fine dlo until the last of the week. Of course an earlier termination Is possi ble. Fnte of Trrlne BUI. The binder twine plant bill Is beset with rave dangers, if, Indeed, not already dead. The conference committee of the house and senate reported this morn.ng and the report was as printed by Tho Bee. It provided that the senate must revoke Its amendment substituting soft for hard fiber and that the house must reoed from its action In refusing to concur In the sen ate amendment to have $2ii0,000 bonds la sued fur the creation of this plant. The senate adopted the report, while the house refused to accede to the bond proposition. The bill therefore was still hung up and the senate thus far has taken no further action. It is not believed the senate will recede from lt position on tho bond prop osltton. If It does, then that settles It and the bill is dead. The house member who fought the report of the conference committee took the position that the stata. was hot In a poaltlorv financially to isaua $200,000 bonds for th's or any other purpose, that it was clearly unconstitutional and would be a most unpopular thing to do. The house passed the Kyd elevator bill today. This bill has been pointed out as In the interest of the line elevator people, headed by R. B. Schneider, of whom Kyd Is recognized us chief representative In tha legislature. The bill ostensibly deals a blow at the line elevator concerns, but those who have given It most careful at tentlon are unanimous In pronouncing it a measure purely for the benefit of the trust. The essence of the bill Is found In th provisions which prohibit pooling and di vision of profits, both of which are funda mental principles of the organic law of the Independent elevator concerns. Without a standard of prices, which Is the pooling re ferred to in this case, and a division of profits, the Independent concerns, .which operate entirely upon a co-operative basis, would be unable to conduct their affairs aa prescribed In their constitution. Hence th conclusion Is deducted that the KjM bill seeks to disorganize the farmers' elevator concerns for the benefit of the llne eleva tors. Yet thin fact was kept so well con cealed that many of the farmer members of the house were deluded Into voting for the bill, supposing It to be In their Interest. Advance Biennial Election Bill. The Epperson bill abolishing the office of state architect passed the house today and the biennial election bill, which originated In the house, was recommended for pas sage in the senate. The senate recom mended for passage also the general ap propriations bill carrying the total of ap proximately $1,800,000, as stated In The Be Sunday. All the amendments were ac cepted. County K.nglneer Bill I'aased. The house today pussed S. F. 284, the county engineer bill, which the governor sent up as a substitute for 8. F. 8, which he vetoed becnuse of a discrepancy be tween the title and the body of the bill. The governor sent up several letters ac companying the bill, In which he cordially commended tho measure to the favorable consideration of the legislature. The sub stitute hill applies only to Douglas and Lancaster counties. The measure found In Speaker Rouso an ardent promoter. The speaker took nn active hand in securing its passage. The Sheehy Bridge company did Its utmost to prevent the bill's passage on the grounds that It would operate to th detriment of Its business. HOI TIN'K l'HOt F.KDINGS OF SKXATM Large Part of Day Put In on Appro prlatlon Hill. (From u Staff Correspondent.) LINCOLN, March 28. (Special.) The first thing on the program In the senate this morning that attracted any atten tion' was tho report of the binder twine conference committee to the effect that It was. up to the senate to knock out tha soft fiber propnstlon and substitute hard fiber. Cady, who fathered the bill In the senate, stood for the report, while Haller and Mockett, who were the bill's opponents In the senate, were opposed to the proposi tion. Both made speeches In favor of not concurring In the report, while Cudy, Fries and Peterson said not to concur would be to kill the bill and fought for concurrence. The senate concurred In the report and accepted hard liber. These bills were passed: S. F. Sis. creating the office of county comptroller of Douglas county and making thai officer exolticiii city comptroller. II. It. 3'J5, the i&uelow bridge bill, m:iklug the state p.-ty for nun brli.;;e in eaeii county should It he over fro feet la leni.-tb H It. s. reiiealliiK si ctlons i!W and Oil In the civil code of the Compiled Ktututei. Tl.cfe heitions allow tv.u I 1.1I. fur thy recovery of rea: property when iliw ptity against whom Judgment Is rendered ma!e effective during that term. .11. R. 17. u propiiatlng :. to pay f.r bond of bImIu Inns 111. It. It. 24, allowing aduiliiUu ators, aa
