The Omaha Daily Bee
VOL. XXXVI-NO. 234.
OMAHA, MONDAY MORNING, MAKCII 18, 1907.
SINGLE COrY THREE CENTS.
u
to
i
1 MUD IN THE FLOOD
rtor that Caniei Damaro Alone Ohio
C,j Unmraally Laree,
(I I HEAVY RAINS FALL ON SOFT SOIL
EeYtral IdcKm of edimnt Loft by th
Ecoedbc Water.
CREST IS NEAPING CINCINNATI
Bixty-Ona-Foot Etatra at 5 O'clock and
BIotIj Eliln?.
EIGHTH STREET VIADUCT COLLAPSES
Three Fifty-Foot Span Across Mill
Creek (id Railroad Tracks
rail Early
Dy
CINCINNATI. O., March 17.-WUh a
tuua of 61 feet at 6 o'clock this afternoon
i - kii.va haj th creet of the Ohio
flood was not far away. Forecaster Bass
ler has placed the probable crest at not
less than t(3 feet, but his esllr -es annoi
pated It arrival some time A; nw aft
ornoon. The damage done t- lood
-ov far exceed that In the Jam-. d.
. . i -k iinn.il. 1 1 v lorflre anil '
L7 I A U-U v. 111. '
mud carried by the river at this time.
present flood, however, has come from ur
" . .. . ...ft anil
t.rerdntelly heavy rains on a soft sou,
the resoit being an excessive amount of
Biud. which has settled on all that it cov
eted so that the loss will go far In excess
of a winter flood. The uffering ha prob
ably been somewhat lessened by the milder
weather, although many thousand person
have been driven from their homes and
caused great loss and suffering by the ris
ing water.
It Is understood that the worst la over
at points above hero.
The city suffered a loss of about 1160,000
early In the day by the collapse of the
feighth street viaduct over the railroads
f th Mill creek sectlun of the city. Three
Ity-foot spans of this viaduct went down
Into ths flood, but the high water la not
Relieved to have been the sole cause of the
laatr. Various traction lines using the
riaduot aro put to much Inconvenience.
Crest Passes llnntlnitoo.
HUNTINGTON, W. Vs., March 17. The
liver rsached Its highest point here at 2
clock this afternoon, when the stage was
Kfeet. After remaining stationary two
irs it began to recede slowly. Much less
ftamage was done at this point than In Jan
hary. when a high wind added to the de
struction, Stationary at Portsmouth.
PORTSMOUTH. O., March 17. At night
fall today the Ohio was at a stand here,
lacking but three Inches) of reaching the
January stage of 61 feet, with over one
Ihlrd of the olty submerged. The railroads
av been the chief sufferers and many
florrl-rxwind person are euortered at local
HARRIMAN PROFITS BY SLUMP
Magnate by Selling Short Ist Fall
Takes Profits Both Ways
Darin; Panto.
NEW YORK, March 17. Edward H. Har
rlman today looms out of the ashes of
Thursday's financial crash In Wall street
with an estimated personal profit of from
$16,000,000 to 120.000,000 on the decline of
Union Pacific and Southern Pacific stock
end a firmer clutch than ever upon th
stock of these railroads.
Union raclflc and Southern Pacific, with
the entire Harrlman stock list, still are
climbing, and the Harriman Interests are
taking down profit both ways, on the riso
es well as on the decline. That Mr. Har
rlman either had lost control or was about
to lose control of his railroad systems Is
vigorously denied In every quarter of the
street.
A representative of Kuhn, Loeb & Co.,
Mr. Harrlman's bankers, said today:
"The report that Mr. Harrlman was
forced to sell 200,000 shares of Union Pacific
at 111 is rot. That he could have got 120
In open market at any time on Thursday
rails this wild rumor. Mr. 'Harrlman prob
ably owns and controls more Union Pacific
stock at the present time then he ever did
You can bank on this statement."
Her Is the account given by a trust
worthy authority of how Mr. Harrlman has
been a winner rather than a loser In the
recent panic:
"Wall street knows that big financiers
like Harrlman trade entirely upon margins
and they are never In the slightest danger
of loss. He covered at an average of IRi,
and this drop of 40 points In Union Pacific
alone netted him 112,000.000, less brokers'
commissions. In Southern Pacific Mr. Har
rlman Is understood to have traded In
more than 200,000 shares, which he sold
from 96 down to 70, bringing him a profit
of I&.000.000.
COMET IS FEARED IN ITALY
Peoulo Poor Volcano Will Increase
Activity Whoa Celestial Visitor
Strike Earth.
ROME, March 17. (Special.) Th
statement of Prof. Lorenso Matteuoci of
the Royal Obssrvatory on Mount Vesu
vius to the effect that towards the end
of March the substance of the new comet
discovered by Signor Marchettl will come
Into contact with the atmospTier of th
arth and the consequences may be dan
gerous to the earth, has not only at
tracted a great deal of attention th
world over but the Inhabitants of this
part of the world ar alarmed lest erup
tlons of Vesuvius and earthquakes may
follow In consequence. Th brother of
Prof. Matteuccl Is of the same opinion as
to th danger that threatens th earth.
Uoth astronomers said that If the actual
nucleus of th comet Is merely crossed by
th earth, the danger will be brief though
necessarily acut. If. however, the earth
oullid with not the nucleus but th tail
of th comet It Is argued that th at mo
phcr of ths world wtll b Ignited and
very trace or lir win d immediately
nd violently destroyed.
Prof. Matteuccl says that other lm
tmrtant phenomena ar to b expected as
th result of th recent appearance of
pots on th sun.
at Kama.
HOME. March 17. St. Patrick's day was
celebrated tuday at th Irish college, where
Cardinal Vincent Vannutelll celebrated
mass. Right Rev. Thomas O'Oorman,
bishop of Sioux Falls, conducted th vesper
Mrvtc at th college, and latex attended
a, eVuiuer at th InslUutiuo,
SUMMARY OF THE DEE
Monday, Mtrrh IS, lOT.
1907 MARCH 1907
us mon rut wis u mi SAT
' 7 i 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 II 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 10 20 21 22 23
H 25 26 27 28 29 30
TXS WEATHER.
FORECAST FOK N b.BKASKA Partly
cloudy Monday and Tuesday; probably
rain Tuesday In west portion.
FORECAST FOR IOWA Generally fair
Monday and Tuesday.
Temperature at Omaha yesterday:
Hour. Deg. Hour. Deg.
( a. m a 1 p. m 4s
( a. m 36 2 p. m 50
i a. rn 35 2 p. m 49
8 a. m 84 4 p. m 4
9 a. m 3H 6 D. m 47
10 a. rn 41 6 p. m 46
11 a. m 44 7 p. m 44
11 m 47
8 p. m 42
t p. m 41
LEQISLATITB,
Only one of the platform pledges of
the republican party has been enacted
Into law and the coming week will see
busy times In the house, where the ter
minal tax and several other bills are
pending. rag 1
House commltees In Iowa legislature
have acted favorably on thirteen measures
affecting railroads. The primary bill Is
special order for this week. Fags a
u,
':
ZTXBKASKA.
'' Oreese of Craig, Mo., who had
boW icing near OmuTia, was killed by
fat. rom an Omaha freight train near
Blair. par a
Attempts of Union Pacific 'lobbyists to
get executive committee of Grand Island
Commercial club to assist In fight against
terminal taxation bill falls. Fag 1
X.OOAX.. i ,
Dr. T. C. Ill fT at Hanscom Park Uutho-
dlst says foreign Influx makes cities great
problem for church, which, if not solved.
means overthrow of big centers of popu
lation. Pag 8
First Reformer church. Twenty-third
and Central boulevard, of which Rev. F.
Znugg Is pastor, and toward whose
construction President Roosevelt con
tributed. Is dedicated free of debt.
Fag 8
DOMESTIC.
Damage by floods along Ohio river un
usually heavy on account of unusual
amount of mud carried by the swollen
stream. The crest of th rise Is nearlng
Cincinnati. Pag 1
Bark boring beetles Impair vast areas
of good timber on the Black Hills forest
reserve and the government offers tracts
for sale. Pag 8
Report that John D. Rockefeller will
bequeath 1260,000,000 to education and
charity. Pag 1
WABSIsTOTOsT.
Secretary Loeb denies that Governor
Deneen's visit to White House was to
promote Secretary Taft's candidacy for
presidency. Chairman Yoakum of Rock
Island will visit president again this
week. rag 1
rOBEXQBT.
Pope Plus, in an audience with Bishop
O'Oorman. says he approves utterances of
Archbishop Ireland on French church con
flict. Pag 1
cotnroiz. bltjtps.
Council Bluffs Young Men's Christian
association committees plan to raise
tii.uuu aoamonai ior ouiuung lun.i w'"
Week. Pag 3
OOaTBTERCXAI. AJTD rXsTAJTCIAK.
Grain and produce marlret. Pag 7
Lir stock market.
Pag T
POPE INTERESTED IN LAWSUIT
Will Probe Matter Rrnnsrht Oat
In
Trial of Woman and
Accomplices.
ROME March 17. (Special.) After a
hearing lasting for several weeks the fa
mous case of Fllomena Stoppato. who posed
as a niece of Cardinal Rampolla and de
frauded various people out of large sums
of money, has reached an end. Although
the little army of lawyers tried to give the
affair the Importance of a Humbert case
the crowds who thronged the courts every
day were disappointed, as the Judges were
Inclined to soften down any and all at
tempts to attack the Vatican and the
church.
Nevertheless the pope has ordered a
stringent Inquiry to be made, as during the
trial It appeared that Fllomena Stoppato,
alias Marchioness Venlsla, had acted as
a kind of go between for the proprietor
ofvth wall known church at Vail de
Pumped, where miracles are supposed to
have taken place and certain friars who
were represented as being anxious to obtain
the administration of this valuable prop
erty. His holiness sent to Valle de Pompeii
his almoner, Mgr. Sill, whose brother is an
Italian deputy.
The public at the trial Was also disap
pointed because the judges refused to order
Cardinal Rampolla to appear as a witness.
Fllomena was sentenced to twenty-five
months' Imprisonment, the priest, Ferrettl,
her partner, to nine months, and the Do
minican friar, Clarachl, her lover, to eight
months. Ths latter was liberated, as he
bad already been In prison for eight months
before the trial.
Tbia Is the ad i
-ROOM apartment, strictly
modern, to man and wife;
private bath; private
porches; in residence of
owner. Address E fcJi, car
JJeo. (16) MU4 Ux
Xt ran ono.
It cost only a few eat.
Wouldn't TOV poni a
suart! o rest your bona
or room or Oil a want a boat
which yo h ba worry
i4Tt
Bring th ad to TbOl US
effloa, lTth and Paraasa, or
tak It to th art oruf
tor.
Wlthla Tryody's msach.
aaoha Bverybady.
17 Replies
DENIAL FROM WHITE HOUSE
GoTtrnor Deneen'i Viiit Had Eothini to
Do with Seorttary Taft'i Candidacy.
YOAKUM TO SEE PRESIDENT AGAIN
Head of Rock Island Will lege
Executive to Isssie State
ment that Will Reassure
laTMtora.
WASHINGTON, March 17. Secretary
Loeb tonight denied public statements that
the White House conference yesterday. In
which Governor Charles 8. Deneen and
Attorney General Stead participated, whs
for the purpose of promoting the candidacy
of Secretary Taft for the presidency. The
story originated from the fact that Sec
retary Taft and his brother, Charles P.
Taft of Cincinnati, called at the executive
office while the president was In confer
ence with the Illinois officials and were
Introduced to the president s visitors. The
only reference made to politics during the
conference was when the president asked
Governor Deneen regarding the mayoralty
fight in Chicago.
B. F. Yoakum, chairman of the board of
directors of the Chicago, Rook Island
Pacific railroad, who conferred with Presi
dent Roosevelt last week on the railroad
situation, will visit the White House again
this week. Mr. Yoakum, who has an
nounced himself unreservedly In favor of
close co-operktlon between the railroads
and the federal ejovernment, again will
urge the president to Issue a reassuring
statement outlining his attitude toward the
railroad.
Mellen Comes Tuesday.
President Mellen of th Hartford road
will call on the president Tuesday, and It
Is believed the other three railroad presi
dents with whom J. P. Morgan requested
the president to discuss the railroad situa
tion will come to Washington this week.
President Mellen has made it plain to a
cabinet officer with whom he has com
municated that he will visit the White
House as an Individual and will not un
dertake to represent Messrs. McCrea, New
man and Hughltt or the railroad corpora
tions generally. As yet neither of the
other three presidents have asked Mr.
Roosevelt to receive them, though It is be
lieved that some word will be received from
Mr. Hughltt tomorrow.
The work of the Interstate Commerce
comnilsslqn has grown so heavy that It
has been deckled to discontinue the hear
ings which have been conducted by mem
bers of the commission outside of Wash-
: Ington. Hereafter when It Is found neces.
other !
. sury to conduct investigations in
cities special agents wm lane me lesn
mony and report to the commission and
the arguments on the case will be heard
by the commissioners In this city.
Spokane Case Reopened Asrnln.
CHICAGO. March 17. The Interstate
Commerce commission will meet here to
morrow to take up th demand of busi
ness interests In Spokane for a reduction
In freight rates to that city from the east
The case Invm4vs soma Important points
to be determined, and the , investigation
may result In a complete change In the
basis of freight charges which has betn
adopted by the railroads.
Rates from New York to Spokane are
now made by adding to the rate to Port
land or Senttle the local rate from one of
tttcse ports to Spokane. The rates from
Chicago to Spokane, In most cases, are the
same as from New York. The railroads
j are confrontei wltn the task of Justifying
these rates before the Interstate Commerco
, mmmlulnn their nrmimint hAlne thAt
tney are foj-cod to meet the water rates to
Pacific coast points, ajid that these rat
are too low. Two years ago the commis
sion ruled against the railroads In a sim
ilar case brought by the business men of
Denver, who protected against a lower rate
from New York to San Francisco than to
Denver. In deciding that case the commis
sion said:
Surely a rate which nays expenses for a
J,4u0-mile haul will yield reasonable profits
for a haul uot much over half that distance,
when the service actually rendered U f r
the cheapest and easiest halt of the total
haul.
If the commission In the Spokane case
follows Its ruling In the Denver case It
may result in a revolution In rate making
which will affect every commercial center
from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
BIG GIFT FROM ROCKEFELLER
Statement that Oil King Will Leave
f fiO,XMVoo to Education and
Charity.
NEW YORK, March 17. The Herald to
morrow will say that according to a mem
ber of John D. Rockefeller's. Jr., Bible class.
and who Is also a personal friend of John
D. Rockefeller and In a position to know
of his affairs,, the latter proposes soon to
make a princely gift to New York City.
It will amount to at least (50.000,000. It will
be partly charitable and partly educational.
Th Herald adds:
This man said that when Mr. Rockefeller
was conferring with his son at Lake wood,
N. J., a fortnight ago, the meeting was not
for the purpose of discussing any imme
diate gift, but was on the subject of Mr.
Rockefeller's will, which document the oil
king was then completing, with the aid of
his son and his lawyers. It was said that
this document will astonish th world when
it is made public. It will. It Is declared,
donate no less than (250,000,000 for charitable
and educational purposes, and It will be
so betsowed that the benefit therefrom
will almost b perpetual.
The manner In which these bequests will
be bestowed la said to be mainly educational
and charitable. While there are some con-
trtbutlcn. for religious purposes. It I. stated ! M an ,nJu.tloe tna .tl(rle- whloh
that Mr. Rock.f.ll.r doe. not think It were lent laBt .umrner from wr
rr:.? :n'z? nM "., Th.. and
...adlT. . .k".. "
Mr. Rockefeller, however. I. said to be
much in favor of the growth of education',
and to the furtherance of this end he has
done much In his will. He believes that
education will make this country the great
est In th world, and that every cent con
trlbuted toward that object will help to
make better clUsens and better Christiana
As to the charitable bequests. It was said
some time ago that Mr. Rockefeller had Id
mind building model tenements, for the
poor, such as have been arected in soma
European cities.
In his will, th Herald's Informant states,
Mr. Rockefeller ha provided these three
things-bequests for religious purposes,
though not of large sums; liberal bequests
for education and what ar described as
"princely bequest for charitable purposes,
It is said that there is scarcely a man,
woman or child that will not benefit In
om wajr by ins prupeolv donauoba,
STORY OF BROWNSVILLE RIOT
Discharged Trooptr Bays Attack Was
Me.de by ColosVd Soldiers, bat
Wm Not Prearranged.
GALVESTON, Tax., March 17. Th mys
tery surrounding the alleged raid of the
negro soldiers from the Twenty-fifth In
fantsy upon the people of Brownsville,
Tex., on August 11 last year, has been
cleared up, according to a story printed
today by the Galveston News. After seven
months of Investigation by federal au
thorities, what appears to be the true ver.
sion of the crime ha been secured from
D. C. Gray, one of the discharged sol
diers, who admits that he partially par
ticipated. The man ha been living In Galveston
a large portion of th time since he was
discharged from the army soon after the
outrage. According to his statement the
attack was not premeditated, but was the
result of an alleged injury done one of
the soldiers by a whit man in Browns
ville half an hour before "the raid. The
negro, returning to the barracks, seised
his rifle and announced that he was going
to kill the white man. Beveral other negro
soldiers volunteered to go along and
the work well done apd to wipe out old
scores which they had against the cltiscns
on account of the injuries which they
claimed to have Buffi-red. The negroes re
turned to the barracks after committing
the assault on the totVn and many soldier
assisted in the hurtled cleaning of the
guns for the Innpealon which followed
soon after the shoeing in the town
censed. Apparently the soldiers from only
one company participated In the raid, al
though practically the entire battalion
knew soldiers had done the shooting.
Many of the negroes belonging to . this
battalion enlisted in Galveston during the
summer of 1W6 and returned to the city
after being discharged from the army. The
negro soldier, it Is said, gav out the story
believing the reporter was a United States
secret service detectlvs.
Gray says he was formerly a private in
Company B of the Twenty-fifth Infantry.
WASHINGTON, March 17. Senator Over
man of North Carolina, who is a member
of the senate commute on military affairs,
which Is Investigating the "shooting up" of
Brownsville, Tex., tonight, when shown the
dispatch from Galveston, telling of the
alleged confession of a discharged negro
soldier, said the committee received In
formation two weeks ago that a former
member of the Twenty-fifth Infantry had
expressed a willingness to make a full
confession If he could receive some assur
ance from the government that he would
be protected. Senator Overman says this
Information was forwarded to Secretary
Taft with the suggestion that It be In
vestigated by the War department. "All
,ne discharged troopers who tell the truth
about the affair, said the senator, "will
certainly be protected by the government."
Neither the senate committee on military
affairs, nor the War department has re
ceived any official report regarding the
alleged confession of th discharged negro
soldier.
MULE THE CAUSE' OF WAR
Origin of Dlspato Between Honduras
and If learag-on "WHIeti Resulted ' "
In Hostilities.
WASHINGTON, March 17. Ono mule a
mule belonging to Senor Irenlo Saldago
was the chief object of dispute between
Nicaragua and Honduras when they began
the quarrel which finally ended in the war
that Is threatening the peace of all Central
America, according to the official communi
cation exchanged by the ministers of for
eign affairs of the two republics, copies of
which communications have been received
in Washington.
, The controversy begin when nur Agut
C Coallo, tu Houdoran minister for for
eign affairs, wrote a note to Senor Jose D.
Gjumex, the Nicaraguan minister for foreign
affairs, on January 2S, protesting against
the theft of a mule from Irenlo Salgado by
thirty-five Nicaraguan cavalrymen, who
were charged with entering Honduran ter
ritory. In reply Senor Gomes said the Nicarag-
uans did not quite enter Honduras, although j
they passed near to the little town of Los
Manos In that republic. The taking of the
mule was not denied, but Senor Gomez In
sisted In his letter that Salgado was not a
I HondMran citizen, but a Nicaraguan who
had to leave that country because of the
part he played in a revolution two years
before. Consequently Nicaragua main
tained that Honduras had no right to fly
to the defense of Salgado's mule.
This note brought a spirited reply from
Honduras, the minister for foreign affairs
announcing that Irenlo Salgado was in
Tegucigalpa, happily engaged In trade,
there, while a man by the same name, a
most reputable and respected farmer, a
Honduran of unquestioned citizenship, lived
at Los Manos and owned the much mooted
mule.
Nicaragua replied that it was tru that
Colonel Juan Roc ha, who commanded a
party of cavalry, took a mule near Loa
Mono, but reiterated that the animal was
taken In Honduran territory. Dispatches
grew longer as the controversy waied
warmer. Other questions arose. Then the
arbitration tribunal was opened and finally
the break came when President Zelaya of
Nicaragua withdrew his member of the
bcrd cf arbitration and war between Hon
duras and Nicaragua began.
SCHOOL MATE DEFENDS THAW
Associate During College Days Say
His Record and Conduct as
Student Was Good.
NEW YORK. March 17.-Harry K. Thaw
spent a quiet Sunday in the Tombs. Thta
afternoon Lawyer Dan O'Reilly visited
Thaw and helped him prepare in duplicate
a statement sent from Lewellyn Gllliland
of Vanwert. O.. In whlp.h the lttnF iinn.inA..
I " lh Woo8t'r y- A. Mr. O'Reilly
j was leaving the Tombs he gave copies of
lhe ta ' " y Mr. GiUlland.
I ?. .l'8. & ' . effeCt thttt the
t4 view vechdi taUWK'IllHJ,
Mr. Gilllland says:
"The college escapades of a man whose
life Is regarded as a surceas are looked
upon by the world as good Jokes; let that
. man afterward fa fm grace and
' tho" PrBnk" ar regarded as crimes.
! and thu" 11 '" that the Pade of Harry
Thaw' who now " trial In New York for
' tb 'yln" f Stanford Whit last summer
on the roof of that noted architect's most
famous structure, are being dc-plcted as
criminal and that Thaw's career as such
was begun while a lad In knee trousers In
his early college day at Wonster, O."
Mr. lGlliland then. at considerable
! length, reviews Thaw' school life, pudnting
out that Thaw has been credited with many
pranks in which he never participated and
1 that, as a matter of fact, th prisoner's Hfe
Jat Wooster wm la very way pruiaw wurtA.
RAILROADS ROASTING 0MA11A
flttffcen Peit Out in ftato to Make
Sentiment Atrainit Metropolis,
UNION PACIFIC AGENTS AT GRAND ISLAND
Effort to ladaeo Exaeotlve Conamltte
of Commercial t'lsb to Take Stand
Against Terminal Tax
Bill Pall.
(JRAND ISLAND, Neb., March 17. (Spe
cial.) One of the warmest meetings ever
held by the executive committee of the
Commercial club was that of last evening
when, clearly, an effort was made to fore
a resolution opposed to terminal taxation.
Assistant Tax Commissioner Swlngley of
the Union Faoiflo was sent out from Omaha
the night previous to secure the action, and
aside from the members of the executive
committee, about half a dosen other cltl
xens were called In, Including Austin Tay
lor, division superintendent of the Union
Pacific; J. H. Woolley, attorney for the
8t. Joseph Grand Island: R. R- Horth.
attorney Tor th Union Pacific; County
Treasurer King. County Attorney Mayer
and several others.
Chairman Ryan opened the, meeting by
calling upon Mr. Swlngley for an explana
tion of the terminal tax bill and lis effect
upon this county. Mr. Swlngley referred to
Mr. Ackerman, the local assessor, who gave
the figures of present railroad values
taxed for municipal purposes, and said he
could not see where this city could gain
by terminal taxation. If, Indeed, It did not
lose. Mr. Swlngley thereupon addressed
the members, saying: "This Is an Omaha
measure. Omaha wants more taxes out
of the railroads and that, therefore, if
such a bill becomes operative, some one
would have to ose. It would be the west
ern rart of the state which would go Into
the 'Omaha sponge.' As far aa Hall county
Is concerned, it would either gain very
slightly or It would not be materially af
fected. Now, the papers made a great
howl about the pledges made in the repub
lican platform. There Is no pledge In the
state platform for terminal taxation. The
words were not used in that platform, but
the language Is that the railroads are to
be taxed on their property for municipal
purposes like all other property In the
cities. This I Insist they are now doing "
Treasurer King was called upon for an
estimate and declared that he had under
stood from the committee in charge of th
legislation and from Senator Ashton that
this county would not suffer, but would
gain. ,
Fnlso Statement Reiterated.
Mr. Horth suggested that the value of
the terminals, alleged by The Bee to bo
$10,000,000, were distributed out over the
mileage and if taxed in Omaha would be
taken out, not only In th cities, but in
townships having township organisation.
A. F. Buechler, secretary of the club,
asked Mr. Swlngley if It were not true
that, there being approximately 8.S0 mile
of th road in the cities' and villages In
Hall county, and approximately twenty-
Ifjye miles through townships, twenty-five
1 . . i i . JIa fwOsn 4) ff
parts of trie terminal property distributed
along the line escaped -municipal taxation
in this county, while only J.80 parts did not
so escape.
Attorney Horth in answer protested that
townships levy a similar tax to the munici
pal tax. The secretary here called for the
comparative levies and -they were shown to
be from 8 to 6 mills in the townships and
19 In this city. The point the latter de
sired to make was that, in case of a fire
. , , . . i v... i ha.-.,
or a neea or ponce pro,.,..,.,
would not send to the townsn.p rmu ior
such protection and that for such expenses
even her, a ne saw it, me roaa mtujim
a large portion of levy, the difference be
tween 3 and 19 nftlls.
Attorney Woolley of the St. Joseph &
Grand Island Interposed that the purpose
of the meeting was to get an expression of
the people of thla city for the benefit of
the representatives to the legislature, espe
cially Representatives White and Scudder.
They had been told, he understood, that
Hall county was not for the bill, but they
hod signed the pledge and did not see their
way clear to violate it unless some expres
sion should be secured.
The discussion was reopened by Mr. Ack
erman, who declared that, as assessor, he
could not assess the railroad property he
did not know how, and neither did any
other assessor, to get at the values.
County Attorney Mayer, when called
upon, aeoerted that the Union Pacific In
this county paid 16 per cent of the county
taxes, but of municipal taxes It paid a
much less per cent. Mr. Swlngley took Issue
with him upon this proposition and a rather
heated colloquy took place, Mr. Swlngley
challenging Mr. Mayer aa to how he would
assess real estate. Mr. Mayer outlined the
manner of assessment under the proposed
bill, Mr. Bwlngley falling In an effort to
trap hliu on th value of franchises.
Plea for Union Paclllo.
S. M. Wolbach made a strong plea in
favor of the Union Pacino. It was what
had made Grand Island, and had mad
him and had mad the county attorney, a
statement the latter took decided exception
to. Without It Grand lland would be very
much like alda, a mere station.
In opposition to Mr. Woolley's request
for Immediate action, objection was made
that the committee should not put Itself in
the light of voicing the Interests of the en
tire community. Mr. Swlngley urged that
delay until Monday evening might be too
late, the bill might be passed on Monday.
Mr. Buechler, replying to Mr. Woibuch,
declared that he shared with that gontio
man a deir to work for the best Interests
of Grand Island, and believed he was doing
so when he urwed a llrm stand for every
pledge nuule toward railroad regulation,
which, once broken, might be broken In
other respects, and he was not sur but
that this was the pLu and the purpose cf
tike, bitter fight ou terminal taxation He
Introduced the following and luuvod Its
adoption:
I Rusolved, That any action Involving a r-
queBt, direct or Implied, of the members of
the legislature to violate promise made to
the enure people cf the slate Is of such im
portance thai, at least, It ought to be re
fernxi to the entire membership of the
club and should not be taken up by a com
mittee of seven of Its members.
Chairman Ryan expressed regret that
anyone should introduce politic Into the
affairs of the club.
The secretary replied that h shared in
that regret, but did not see how It could be
avoided If any action were taken at ail,
and the motion to adopt the resolution,
having received no second, moved that In
oroVr to ktep the committee out of politic
entireiy, no action whatever be taken.
Thnt, however, seemed not to be the pur
pv of the meeting, and a motion to take
the matter up to the entire club on Monday
evening, at a meeting already called, pre
vailed. During the discuMlon Mr. Swlngley de-
(Contlnued on Second Pags.j
RAILROAD FIGURES DECEIVE
Alleged Showing of Terminal Valua
tions In Nebraska Worthless for
Assessment Purposes.
(From a Staff Correspondent.)
LINCOLN, March 17.-(Spedal Telegram.)
In the IJncoln Star of Saturday afternoon
was published a tabulated statement, pur
porting to show the value of railroad
property In the different towns, and how
much would go to the assessment roll under
terminal taxation. This showing Is mis
leading, for the figures were furnished by
the railroads, and are the railroad valua
tions of the property. If the several rail
roads of the state are to be allowed to
make their own assessm ni, then th figures
will stand. Hut the supreme court has de
cided that the assessment is made by th
state authorities, and not by the railroads.
This was the crux of the case Just settled
by the supreme court of the United Statos.
after going through the courts below for
three years. The terminal property will be
valued for purposes of taxation by the
state authorities, and not by the railroads.
This means that the figures in the Star are
worthless as showing the true condition.
Members of the leglolature should bear this
In mind when discussing terminal taxation.
It is the state board, and not the railroad
tax agents, who make up the assessment
rolls for the state.
HARRISON NOT AN APPLICANT
Lincoln Mnn Surprised by Statement
that He Is to Have Consular
Post.
(From a Staff Correspondent.)
LINCOLN, March 17. (Special Telegram.)
The telegrams In the morning papers thst
Frank Harrison Is slated for a consular
position in Central America wer a sur
prise to Mr. Harrison, who said he knew
nothing of even being mentioned for such
a position. Last year he was offered a
position as receiver of the land office at
either Valentine or O'Neill, but as the
offer was endorsed by Senator Millard,
Harrison turned It down. Regarding the
consular appointment he said:
"I am not an applicant for a consular po
sition in Central America or any other
place, so this dispatch Is a surprise to me.
I do not think The Be correspondent Is
correct in saying I am on the "eligible"
list, as consular positions are now filled by
applicants who have passed examinations.
I hive taken no examination and have not
applied for one.
"From my experience In Central America
I believe that anyone would be foolish to
apply for a place there without knowing
which place was to be vacant. Many of
the consular cities are unhealthy and un
desirable, while th few desirable loca
tions will probably be filled by promotion."
ARREST ALLEGED SMUGGLERS
Men Who Neglect to Declaro Gems
In Nevr York Wanted In London
for Theft.
NEW YORK. March 17. Arthur Preston
Green and Charles Rohrer. passengers on the
I Bteainer Amerika. were arrested when the
1 . -
vessel arrived from Hamburg today,
charged with attempted smuggling.
Diamonds and jewelry to the value of
nearly 125,000, which the customs officials
alleged the prisoners had failed to declare,
was taken from them. The valuables were
confiscated and the men held for extradl
tlon.
Though only the charge of smuggling was
preferred against the prisoners her, It Is
stated by the police that they are wanted
J ' -
abroad , COIinectInn with a theft of some
m Qf Jpwcry and rec,OU9 8tone.
, The autnorte, have been notlfled
SPANISH TOWNS IN CONFLICT
Quarrel Between Milkmen Leads
Open Warfare and Several
Are Killed.
to
MADRID, March 17. (Special.) A quarrel
between two milkmen about the quality
of the milk they sold has led to a deadly
hand to hand fight between the villages of
Calls and Cervera.
For some time past bad feeling has ex
Isted between the two villages, but matters
were brought to a climax when the milk
man of one village accused his rival of
the other village of adulteration.
The people of Calig then barricaded th
entrance -to their village with logs of
wood and the judge of Cervera, who at
tempted to pass the barrier, was attacked
with stones and killed on the spot. Several
men who were with him were Berlously In
jured.
The men belonging to the village of Cer
vera retaliated by barricading their own
houses. After arming themselves with
sticks and firearms they marched to Calig.
They were met at the entrance to the
village by a hostile force and a hand to
hand fight took place. Several people
were killed and Injured.
COURTESY WAITS ON HEALTH
Bohemian City Coo act 1 Grant i
I'nusual Favor While Cold
Weather Continue.
VIENNA, March 17. (Special.) The town
council of Chrudlm in Bohemia Is so so
Utitlous for the welfare of the cltlsens
that It has asked them not to take off
their hats to ladles during the contlnu
ance of the cold weather.
The town Is covered with notices point
lng out the danger of this courteous but
dangerous practice and requesting all
j adult males to confine themselves to a
drawing room bow and a military salute
until the spring nas come. Sc hoolboy are
not exempt and must "cap" their masters
still.
All who avail themselves of the council'
hint and benefit thereby ar asked to
subscribe $1 a year to a new foundling's
homo.
COLONIES WANT DELEGATES
Parts of Australian Commonwealth
Wonld Send Representatives to
British Trade Congress.
SYDNEY. March 17. (Special.) Aus
tralians are discussing with a great deal
of energy tlx right of the various states
to be represented at the conference of
colonial premiers to be held In London In
April.
Lord Elgin has despatched an Invitation
to the prime minister of the commonwealth
only and the officials of the different states
feel that they have a very real grievance.
One paper bluntly says that the states can
not both hav their cak and at It, too,
and having voluntarily merged themselves
in the commonwealth can no longer b
expected to secure th treatment bt lode
jendut culonlea.
BUSY WEEK IN HOUSE
Only 0b tf tbo Flatfotm kfeatarti Eat
Beachd Governor.
i
APPROPRIATIONS TO GO - TO SENATE
Tail Bill Will Probably Fo Pawed 0tt U
nt to Cnt Down to Pit
CHIEF INTEREST IN TERMINAL BIU
Railroad Lobby Aoti-ely Contiiuea lu
Campaign of M representation.
BILL TO ABOLISH COUNTY ASSESSORS
Measure Recommended for Passage
by the House Last Week with
Little Discussion or Con
sideration. (From a Staff Correspondent.)
LINCOLN. March 17.-(Speclal.)-Whllo
the terminal tax bill overshadows every
thing on the legislative rtfogram at thla
Urn and while the members who are her
and the hangeraon are talking of nothing
else, many other important matters will bo
settled the coming week. In fact, only one
of the republican platform pledge ha
reached the governor, the employers' lia
bility bill, which he signed recently. That
loaves for settlement this week all of th
other pledges made to the people, beside
the big appropriation bill, and because of
the other Important matters It locks a
though tho house will run through the ap
propriation bill and leave the senate and
the governor to cut It down to fit th cloth.
An Important action taken by the house
last week with little discussion or apparent
thought of the consequences, wsa the rec
ommendation In the committee of the whol
that th bill abolishing county assessors be
passed. Such a bill as this has had to be
killed ever session since 1908, when the rev
enue law was enacted. The fuslonlsU have
sponsored such a measure, and this year In
duced enough republicans to vote with them
to get it recommended. The campaign of
19C was fought out on this ismie more than
any other, and the republican won.
Whether the bill will secure enough vote
to pass the senate Is another question.
Railroad Lobby Still at Work.
In the matter of the terminal tax bill th
railroad lobby Is working over-time, and
yesterday the railroad-controlled Lincoln
Star came out In a column and a half
railroad prepared article knocking on th
bill and urging the legislator to repudiate
their pledge. The artlole was prepared by
the railroad lobby and Inasmuch aa it at
tempt to show Just how much each town
will lose, it la taken to be too silly by th
friend of the bill to even demand an an
swer. How It figures that these towns will
lose any money Is not explained, and
neither does the railroad man who wrot It
attempt to show what, the local assessor
will do when they .assess the local railroad
property.
The terminal tax bill will be In the lime-'
light until It Is passed because It Is th
one measure the railroads are determined
to kill, and Inasmuch as It is a part of the
republican state platform, those member
who think anything of a pledge are going
to see that it passes. Consequently the
fight Is a furious one. Friends of the bill
believe when the members who have gone
home return they will be In a still better
mood to keep their pledge, because their
constituents wfll doubtless tell them that a
pledge is really meant to be kept. Tu)
week-end trips home have In the past
been a good thing for the people, because
they show the legislators just how closely
every vote Is being watched. The fact that
with one or two exceptions those who ar
fighting the bill live In towns whore th
railroad tax is only a nominal sum ha
given rise to the belief that the reason
of their antagonism Is because of their al
legiance to the railroads rather than to
their desire to serve their constituents.
Puslonlst Lenders In Had Light.
The attitude of the leaders of the fusion
1st on the terminal tax bill has put them
In a bad light, because Richard L. Metcalf
is heartily In favor of the bill, while Tom
Allen, the democratic chairman, who Is
working against It, had notorious connec
tion with the railroads during the late
campaign and Is looked upon as their
henchman. If fusion leaders go back on
Metcalfe and W. J. Bryan, they will have to
do It to help the democratic chairman settle
up campaign promises made to the rail
roads. Tom Allen, however, will not b
able to control the entire bunch of f u
slonlsts. and some of them at least will
be for the bill. George L. Loomls, who led
the fight for terminal tax for the fustonlsta
In 1903, was here the other night, and It la
understood he urged the minority to keep
In line for the bill.
Fight on Third Hons.
The fight against the third bouse, other
wise knwn as the lobby, will come to a
head this week, partly as a result of th
governor's special message last week and
partly aa a reaction against the pernicious
activity of the special interests the last
week or two in trying to prevent certain
legislation. Joe Burns and other who
oppose any attempt to curb the activities
of these agents of the corporations do so
on the ground that every man should have
a right to come to Lincoln and discuss
bills of special Importance to him with
the members of the legislature from his dis
trict. Those back of the Jenlson anti-
lobby bill declare this is no argument
against the measure. They say It Is not
designed to keep any person from "lobby,
lng" for or against a bill In which he is
personally lntreted, but is Intended to
strike at hired agents, who have no per
sonal Interest in legislation, but who are
paid a lump sum or a salary for securing
the passage of certain measures or having
them killed.
It is this class, It Is pointed out, that Is
the menace to legislation. They are re
sponsible usually to a corporation and It
Is nee. sary for them to make good to holt'
their Jobs. In order to accomplish wha
they come to Lincoln to do, many of .them
will resort to methods that reputable men
would not follow. If the Jenlson bill
posse the business men themselves, whq
interest are at stake, would hav to do
the "lobbying." Thl fact. It I assrted,
would Improve conditions, because business
men of (landing would hesitate to do
thing that the professional lobbyists will
sometime stoop to in order to gain their
end. It would also prevent the railroads
from Importing "prominent" citliens from
various localities to work on their legisla
tors in the guise of disinterested buslne
men, when, in fact, they ar In the employ
of th railroad and are really trying to
defeat the will of the people.
Conspicuous example of th action of th
lobbyist In Uelajrlnc leglslatloo Lav w.