Fhe Omaha Daily Bee Cr.!y 4 DAYS Fcr Christmas Shopping Only 4 DAYS Fcr Christmas Shopping VOL. XXXVII NO. 150. OMAHA, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 20, 1D07 TEN PAGES. SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS. ii ( ! I aa F1G1IT IN THE HOUSE Kerni. Wllliami and ond Quarrel Orer Xitue of W SEVERAL BLOWS ARE EXCR. Floor Leader i Bleeding: in When They Are Separated. LIE PASSED BY MESOinilAN Mississippi Man ii Accused of Jug gling: with Facts. ROW IS OYER COMMITTEE WORK A pjMlBtmrat of Col league af Mr. D AraaMi Kat Satisfactory aad Breach af Faith U Alleged. WASHINGTON. Doc. 19.-John Bharp Williams of Mississippi, leader of the mi nority, and Representative David A. Da Armond of Missouri engaged In a flirt fight orer the passing of the lie on the floor of he h era fx thla afternoon Immediately after idjouroment at S:W p. m. Mr. Williams truck tha first blow and Mr. De Armond retaliate vigorously with clenched fiat. When the combatants were separated blood waa flowing down Mr. Williams' face from a small gash In the left chwk and his forehead waa red and am-aleed. Mr. De Armond bore no mark of the fray. The encounter was witnessed by more than a hundred members of the house and by as many more per.ons In the galleries, among them a number of women. The house having Just broken tip. groups of representatives were standing or sit ting about discussing the committee ap pointments that had been announced by the speaker. Among them were Mr. Williams, aeated at Sepresentatlve Wallace's desk on the center aisle of the democratic aide, and Mr. De Armond, who occupied Representa tive Bsrtlett's desk adjoining. They were engaged In very earnest talk, but their voices were low and they attracted no es pecial attention. Suddenly both men sprang to llielr feet and began striking each other. Bo startled and so astounded were the members of the house und the officials that for a moment no one offered to in terfere and the leader of the minority and the member from Missouri lunged back and forth between the desks, both sway ing wildly and each in apparent danger of going down. Blood was flowing from a gash in Mr. Williams' cheek, when As sistant Bergeant-at-Arma Slnnot sprang between them, grasped Mr. De Armond and held him back while representatives and attendants following suit effected a separation. Statement fcr Mr. Williams. When Mr. Williams wi released lie went Immediately into the cloak room at the rear of the chamber and while remov ing the stains of the combat made the fallowing statement of the trouble: 1 lie Oiaactveoieat arose srtr s .on m it tee assignment. Mr. De Armond railed me to book for recommending his colleague. Mr. Booher, to no more promi nent committee than that on coinage, weights and measures. I replied that I had been given to understand by htm that Mr. Booher Would be well satisfied with that asslgneinent. "Mr. De Armond answered to the effect that I have gained such an idea by my imagination or by a deliberate wish to misunderstand. I suggested to him that the floor of the house waa no place for a quarrel or a scene and asked h'.jn to desist. His answer was that he hsd never had any such understanding with me about Mr. Boober as I had decleared nnd he added that my subsequent action was the action either of error or untruthful ness. I again suggested that the house was no place to settle a personal differ ence of opinion. He retorted that It was not a matter of opinion, but of veracity and said that lie did not believe I had merely made a mistake, I then strnck him and -we exchanged blows. It Is most regrettable that the floor should be se lected for such an affair." De Aratssd's Yerslaa mt AaTalr. According to Mr. De Armond the epi sode arose over the correctness of a con versation between himself and Mr. Wil liams about ten days regarding the com mittee assignments of some Mlsyiurl members and particularly Mr. Booh.?r. Mr. De Armond said he had spoken highly of Mr. Booher and the other members as being competent to sit on any cvn mlttee, but that he hsd not specified to Mr. Williams any special committee on which he would like to have Mr. Booher or any other member placed. This. Mr. De Arm d said, Mr. Williams today de nted, saying It waa a matter of recollec tion between them. Upon Mr. De Ar mond' Insisting that he had not specified any committee to which he desired to have his colleagues assigned, Mr. Wil liams, he said, brusquely repeated thnt It was simply a matter of recollectloi between the two. "He said this." said Mr. De Armond. "in such a way as to leave no oth inference than the one I suggested, .slid 1 told him I believed him to be a liar. He thereupon struck me and I think I gave hire as good as he gave. The text thing w were separated." CLUE TO BAND OF FORGERS St. I.eaia Pallr Believe Italiaa aer Arreat I Oa at laa fiortaat Gang. Us tT. LOUIS, Dec ll.-The police believe that In the arrest last night of Dominic Yaltttiso. alias "Mlrnl." an Italian. S3 years old. on the charge of Laving passed a foijeJ iheck, they have a clue to the band af forgers which I passing forged checks In all parts of th city. The check oil the Hydraulic Pristed Brick company was pro nounced a forgery. Vaienso was arreated after a fight. In a music store, where hu had tendered the ti check In payment for a SI W guitar. HIS FAMILY IS SMOKED OUT Thomas Metaaa sets Fir ta Hesna ' lAaaaater lavci Mather wila Dlntcalty. L'RIDUEPORT, CVnn.. Dec. U. Thomas McCann yesterday deliberately art fire to tiie house In which bis wife lay bedridden. Their dai'Shlrr rushed through the smoke and flame and carried her mother to safety. Both women er sllu.(!y burned ar.d nearly suffocated. They will recover. Mc t'ana later gave l;lTitse!f up to the police, raying that the bouse was his and he had a i l.t to burn It If be a anted to. His family refused to leave the bouse, be said, cd b waa Ujiiig ta amuk theia out. SUTiIMARY OF THE BEE Priiar, Dml" 2. -SOT. December 1907 1007 swa rot 4 5 6f 7 II 12 13 14 18 19 20 21 25 26 27 28 I 8 2 9 3 10 17 IG J 23 24 29 30 3! TXI WEATKEX. Forecast till 7 p. m. Prtdey: FOR OMAHA. COUNCIL BLUFFS AND VICINITY Fair Friday; not much cliange in temperature. FOR NEBRASKA AND IOWA-Fair Friday; not much cahnge In temperature. Temrwmture at Omaha yesterday: 11 10 10 It 15 , n is 34 J6 8 36 sx 31 2 28 27 DOMESTIC!. Mine explosion, followed by fire. In the Darr mines of the Fltuburg Coal com pany entombs between 800 and 400 men. Per - Report comes from New York that the Union Pacific road has decided definitely to close the Wyoming mine except for its Own consumption of coal. Fagt 1 Congressmen John Sharp Williams -nd De Armond engage in fist fight on the floor of the house orer a Question of Veracity, Williams being slightly Injured. Pag 1 Speaker Cannon and Williams, minjrlty leader, play politics In committee assign ment. Nebraska men are well plac?d. Burkett introduces a bill for lease of grazing lands In public domain. Fags 1 Low price of baser metals bas caused suspension of some mints in Colorado. Page 1 Illinois Central stockholders will Hold their meeting In February. Page a A lone robber seeks to steal large quan tity of gold bullion from a car at Phila delphia. Pare 1 VXBB.AIXA. Attorney general holds treasurers ore responsible for principal and interest when money la placed in a onodeposltary bank. Better facilities ordered for milk and cream at Omaha Union depot. Page 3 Murder trial at Grand Island continues with testimony of the state's witnesses Fags 3 Superintendent Brooks of the Missouri Pacific road explains that clerical delay in his office caused delay In filing his car report- Pag Mrs. Frank Smith of Mllford likely to die as result of assault Indicates by signs two men who committed it are parties she has known a long time. Pa-e S roaxioa. Japanese sicUsmen. and prominent men are not exercised over the Visit of the American fleet to Pacific waters. Page 8 Pope Plus holds public consistory and bestows red hats upon cardinals. Page a Herr Harden appears In court in Berlin to answer' libel charge. Pag 1 Burial of late King Oscar of Sweden takes place with much ceremony at Stock- hplm. Page 1 Yaqul Indians shoot down Mexicans in cold blood In recent uprising. Pag 1 IOCAX, County commissioners find difficulty In drawing petit Jury strictly according to terms of law. Par 5 Omaha Board of Education changes its fiscal year to correspond with calendra year. FatfS 6 Judge Crawford fines men who plead guilty to violating the Sunday closing law. war a Omaha contractors successful In bid ding for government work. Pag 8 Nonresidents buy Omaha land for in vestment. Par T Omaha bank 1 troubled by robbery of mail pouches on way to depot, but has no cash Involved. Pag 8 KPOBT. President Murphy of the National league Is much exercised ever the at tempt to plant another league in Chicago. Pag 8 COMXX&CXA.X. AJTS XJTOVSTaUAL. iive stock markets. Pag T urain markets. PagsT mocas ana Donas. Pag T acorxxxim op oczajt steams html Port. Arrlne. Sailed. NEW TORK t'ltoola RytKUm NEW you..,. ktnoa. ANTWERP Malisa ftOTTKKriAM ...amoienak F'H'THAHflON AdrUllo GENUA ...Nartf Ametioa. .Titaol Pt-yaorTH BONAPARTE ON NEW PLATFORM Physlrlaua Seek ta Start lasne af Ea . tersalaatlea af Crisnlaal riaaaea. CHICAGO. Dec. ll.-The Tribune today says: An underground movement which bas as Its object the election of Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte to the presi dency of the United State, Is in progress. It has tome up for breath 1n Chlcaga. Washington and Boston, and may be looked to sppear briefly in New Tork and Indianapolis. So far aa la knwn it la the only under ground campaign whli Is being conducted, and at present there Is no evidence to In dicate that Mr. Bonaparte Is aware of the proceedings himself. The campaign nanager are physieiana. They have their Issue and they have se lected Mr. Bonaparte as their andldae because he Is known to favor tlte proposi tion. The issue is the "extermination of the criminal classes." The physicians pro pose to confine habitual criminals In "asy lum prisons' for Ufa. MINING INDUSTRY AFFECTED Uw Prleea af Baser Metala Have Caaaeal lataeaalos af Many Pr pert lea. DENVER, Dee. IS.-Mining condition, insofar aa they relate to tbe low-grade properties from which are taken the baser metals, are in a most unsatisfactory oun dltlon, according to an article publtahed in the Denver Republican today. At the I resent prices of silver, copier, load had line, it is said, the mines that have bem operated on a slight margin of profit are losing money and the managements have been compelled to close in Lead vi lie. Creed, Aap.n. Silvertonand other camps. Nearly i.i muiern, H is siid. bav been out of ttapio) mfit ta tin slat V-p- jiour. &H?xfzK- ; "' JVeiftii " nf 10 a. m . (-yCJ H s. m.. rt-i V I p. m.. dLuf dS' ds-V, P- rn.. p. m. FLEET DOES NOT WORRY JAPS Leading Men Discuss Pacific Trip in This Light TOGO GLAD SHIPS ARE COMING Vlaeonat Kaaeko Say 1 silted states and Jaaeia Have Jetat Reep-onnl-ttllity am the Wesferai Waters, - TOKIO. Dec 18. The following Inter views have been granted exclusively to the Associated Press: Jansn will heartilv welcome the Amer ican fleet of battleshlpa to the Paclflo and to the porta of thia country If it be derided to extend the trip In. thla direction. "The fact that the fleet is tailing toward the Paclfl! creates no excitement here and as I have said before to the Associated Press, Japan views in the friendliest man ner any action within the cope of wisdom any disposition the United States may see fit to make of Its fleet, because the Japa nese people have absolute confidence In the friendly attitude of the great states men and people. We hope the fleet may have a safe voyage, and Americans may rest assured that should the fleet decide to isit the far east, at no place will It re ceive a heartier welcome than In Japan." Foreign Minister Viscount Hayashl. In giving the above statement to the Asso ciated Press representative this morning, voiced the sentiment of th whole Japanese people. The news of the actual sailing of the f!"et only reached Japan yesterday and this morning it filtered out through the vernacular and foreign press, accompanied by a description of the scenes of the ships. Naval Omc era Are Mans. A special dispatch carried an interview with the RvsHlan admiral, Rojesivensky, under a New Turk date, comparing the chances of a Japanese fleet against the American. This Interview caused some amusement In naval and diplomatic circles, In view of Rojestvensky's fat when he reached Japan, but It was noticeable that none of the naval officers would be led Into a discussion of the admiral's view for publication. Aumlral Count Togo said: "I am very glad that the fleet has started for the Pacific, for, if 1 "am correctly in formed, it is to be on this side in April or May next. If It should ultimately touch our shores we will greet them as riends and give them the warmest reception. "We entertain nothing but the klndlieBt feeling toward American soldiers." Admiral Sato said: "The American fleet will be heartily wel comed should It visit Japan. I know Ad miral Evans well. He is a delightful gen tleman and a splendid sallon and I cer tainly hope that he will bring his ships on this side and give us a chance to show our appreciation of his good qualifications." United states Has Right. Prince lto, resident general of Corea, said: "America has alwsy been a helpful friend to Japan , and the Japanese are stanch admirers of President Roosevelt. We have never had any other idea than that it was quit wikhia the rig ts ft Americg to despatch a Diet where- it waa desired, and it will be especially welcomed should it come to Japan. I bav always maintained that talk of war between Japan and America i unspeakable, unthinkable,, and the attltudo of the Japanese people toward the fleet will ultimately prove the sincerity of our words, which have been consistently friendly." Privy Councillor Viscount Kaneko said: "Tbe dispatch of the fleet la regarded only as the natural outcome in th course of things, such as exist In the United States. Early In 1892 I saw ex-President Cleveland at Gray Gables. I ventured to point out to him what Is now occurring. I then said that the Atlantic side of th United Slates had . realised such condi tions of development that left little for further exploration, while th Pacific was extending an Immense field for commercial Interest and that eventually American energy must be directed toward that goal. "Let me call your attention to the fact that the Bui wer -Clayton treaty was drawn simply In consideration of American de velopment on the Pacific side. Commercial Interests once developed, the natural con sequences is that warship will folllow the commercial carrier. American are al ready largely interested In the Paclflo, why, therefore, should that portion of the do minion not be protected. It Is cot too much to say that Japan and the United State have a Joint responsibility In main taining peace on the Pacific. "I know Rear Admiral Evan personally. Whtii he waa here I had the pleasure of Inviting him and his staff to a hunting expedition. We hope be will extend bis cruise to these waters and give us an op portunity to renew the acquaintance." ITALY LOSER BY NIGHT RAID Tobacco Praperty af Govern i Destreya la Fire Set fcr Rlaera. teat WASHINGTON, Dec. U. At the request of the Italian ambassador. Secretary of State Root has called upon th governor of Kentucky to Intervene to prevent the further destruction by "night riders" of tobacco belonging to the Italian govern ment and stored In Kentucky. Tbe repre sentation is based on the burning by night rider at Hopklnsvllle, Ky., of a warehouse containing a large quantity of tol.vio purchased by th Italian government, which maintaius a monopoly of the sale of to bacco in Italy. The governor of Kentucky ha reported that be is Investigating. CONSTABLE SHOOTS IN M03 Twa Haaaarlaa K 11 lea at Lebaaoa While O Barer Waa A rreatlag Caal Thieves. LEBANON. Pa., Dec 19 James Dolan, a constable, went into the foreign settle ment last night to arrest coal thieves who have been preying on the Redding rail way's supply. The foreigners turned out enmaase and set upon th officer, who in elf-defenae shot into the crowd, killing two Hungarians. Dolan is in custody, but public sentiment favors hi release. AHEARN BACK IN HIS PLACE Bear a af Alaersaea Elee-ta Him Far af Kemaval fcy Gav- la NEW TORK. Dec. M-John F. Ahearn, who was rently removed from the oflVe of the presidency of Manhattan borough by Governor Hughes on charges pref-tred by officer of the City club, was today elected by the Board of Aldermen as presi dent to aucceed himself. Abeam was elected borough presldei.t by popular vote at th last election, BURIAL OF LATE KING OSCAR Rd r Followed im Grave fcr lain Member of Royal Per- 8 TOOK HOLM. Dec. 1 -The body of the late King Oecar of Sweden, who died De cember S. was interred at noon todsy In the Riddarholm church, tbe burial place of Eedih klrgs and heirs, with a ce" morty, the simple impressirennss of sthlch was accentuated by the widespread evi dences of popular sorrow. Along the snow covered route of the funeral procession thousands of persons gathered and stood bare-headed In the biting cold during the passage of the hearse and the mourner. Every bell In the dty tolled throughout the progress of the funeral. Black drap eries ar.d other mbl'-ns of mourning hung from the fronts of tha buildings facing the streets down wi.lch the fur.eral cortege passed and both sides of the rout were hedged with lines of troops. Immedistely following the hears walked Oustavc, the new king of Sweden, the king of Denmark and the princes of the Swedish royal house.' These mourner were fol lowed by the xpedal foreign embassies, representing states in an parts of the world. The queen of Sweden and the queen of Denmark drove to Jin church. The Dow ager Queen Sophia 'of Bweden was pre vented by Illness from attending the fu neral. The archbishop of "Stockholm offi ciated at the ceremony. The conclusion of the service was marked by a salute of forty-two guns and volley firing by a de tail of infantry. "LONDON. Dec. IS. There was a memorial service In the chapel Royal of St. Jamea today simultaneously with the funeral ser vices of King Oscar at Stockholm. King Edward, the price ,and princess of Wales and the duke and duchess of Connaught were present, and -all the foreign embas sies were represented. Secretary Carter was present on behalf of the An;erlcan embassy. t HONORS FOR REACTIONARIES Csar, sa Hiar Day, Grant Coveted Deroratloas to Kanlfcar and ft Italian. ST. PKTEJU5BUR.G. Dec. 1. The name day of Emperor Nirijoiaa, which was cele brated with the usual ceremonies at Tsarskoe-Selo today, ifas been signalized by an order restoring to the Russian army the picturesque uniform worn In the reign of Alexander II. This order will trans form thirty -five out of the forty-five soberly clad dragoon regimenss Into Hussars and Uhlans, whose brilliant and showy garb Is expected to poj-ularixe the service In the eyes of recruits and the population gener ally. This change is made, according to the phraseology of the order, because during a long period of peace the uniform must be brilliant and beautiful. All the Rvsslao grand dukes returned from abroad for the celebration of the emperor's name day. The empress was unable to take part m tbe festivities on account of illness. Premier Etolypln, the members of the cabinet, M. KhomyakofT, president of the Duma, and other high civil and military dignitaries went to Tsarskoe-Selo to present, their felicitations and witness the rejvlew of the guard. The Amerioan and other diplomatic representa tive, attended tf - fustlval roaaa In Bl. Isaac cathedral.... list of the name' day honors fills sixty-flva columns in the Of ficial Gazette, but even so, it Is barely half as long this year as It was in 1906. General Kaulbars, whose administration of Odessa has been much criticised, Is given the Alexander JJevsky order set In diamonds, and General of Cavalry Skallon, governor of Warsaw, is promoted to a fall general ship. HARDEN ILL, BUT IN COURT Editor of Die Za Kanft Makes Appear ance la Criminal Libel Caae. BERLIN, Dec. 19 Maximilian Harden was haggard and worn and hia face paled and flushed alternately when he appeared before tho criminal court today and took his place In the dock to answer the ac cusation brought In the name of the state that be bad offended not only against Gen eral Count von Moltke, but against the In terests of society In writing in Die Zu Kunft of Von Moltke. Prince Philip Bulen burg. General Wllhelm von Hohenau and others in the manner in which he did. Harden smiled wearily aa he acknowl edged the solicitude of the bailiff In help ing bim remove the fur coat in which he was wrapped. The president of the court inquired courteously if Harden felt strong enough to follow the proceedings. "I hope so," replied Harden. The president then Invited him to leave the prisoner' bench and take a more comfortable chair next to the attorneya The bailiff spread out Harden' fur coat en the chair In order to make him aa comfortable as possible. The prisoner was shaken from time to time with coughing, which he tried In vain to suppress. Dr. Marx, Harden's physician, said when Harden got up this morning that he absolutely disapproved of his appear ance In court and disavowed all responsi bility for the effect on his health. PERSIANS AVOIDING CONFLICT Excltemeat Prevails, bat New Raler is Disposed ta Pacify People. LONDON. Dec. 1.-Pres1ir.g today at the annual meeting of the Imperial Bank of Persia, Sir Lepel Henry Griffin read a trligram, dated today, from th manager of the bank at Teheran. The message said: "Since last Sunday there have been nu merous armed partiaaaa around the as sembly building and a large display of troops in Artillery square, but it is evi dent that neither party Is anxious to fight. There aere large crowds on the streets, but except for one or two cases of violence there has b. n absolute!' no disorders. This aiorning the siUiiition Is very much quieter as a result of th negotiations for a reconciliation carried on last right. The exllt of the late premier. Naslr El Mulk. and the two princes has been canceled. The crowds have been dispersed and today more shop are open. The situation ap pears to be one of pacific conflict." serioos tha rice Aaralaat OfJ'cer. VANCOUVER. B. C. Dec. Id. A special dispatch from K a ml oops, B C, says Cap tain D. L. Keller, alias D. L Smith, a I'nited States army officer of Reno, Nev., w arrested there last night charged v.;h having stoli-n a bank check from the Vnittd Statt q janermaster's office at Fort Bherlflan, 111., and sfterwarda having filled It In for Sitf.S'"'. The prisoner Intenda fighting extradition. The Afcaer for Lard Kelvla, IiONDON. Dec. 19 Tbe Royal society, of which Lord Kelvin wa formerly presi dent, will petition the dean of Weatmln ster abbey for permiaica to bury th dis tinguished scientist la that hist arte church. POLITICS IN ASSIGNMENTS Uncle Joe and John Sharp Williams Playing- the Game for Adrantag-e. JTEBRASXAITS WELL LOCATED seaator Barkett latrodares Bill Flaelag Graslaar La da I nder Agrl rwltaral Depevrtmeat ad rr vldfag for Tfcelr Lease. (From a Staff Correspondent.) WASHINGTON, Dec, !. (Special Tele-gram.V-Now that the smoke of battle has lifted and the committee assignments made foV the sixtieth congress by Speaker Can non, aided by the minority leader. John Sharp WUllan.s. a clearer appreolnt!on is had of the politic underlying aome of the chairmanships, and In pertlculsr esses through committee places given to mem bera. The selection of Representative Scott of Kansas as chairman oT the committee on agriculture, jumping Gilbert N. Hsugen of Iowa and EL 8. Henry of Connecticut, would look as if the speaker expected ma terial aid ard comfort from the state of Kansas in his candidacy fr president. Not satisfied with having Jumped Henry' and Hsugen with Scott, Mr. Henry Is taken c8f the committee on agriculture and Is given the chairmanship of a small com mittee and a place on merchant marine and fisheries. Hsugen of Iowa, who ranked Scott of Kansas, is placed second on the list. H waa not considered for the chair manship, probably because he Is not a particularly good floor manager, and tbe agricultural bill requires a man of tact and force to get the appropriation bill through without having great holes made in it. The apr-n'titment of Congressman Pollard to tl pgriculture co-nmlttee was d counted by The Bee in Its Issues of Tuesday and Wednesday, but Mr. Pollard is especially honored In being placed seventh on the committee and leading the new members of th committee on the republican side. Mr. Pollard made a direct request upon the speaker that in event he should be ap pointed to a place op agriculture that he be left off all other committees, In ordr that he might devote his sole time to this extremely lmportai t committee, in which Nebraska has a vital interest with other agricultural states. As the committee is made up Pollard is the only real, Simeon pure farmer on It, all the rest of the mem bers being professional men. Congressman Hlnshaw retains his place j on merchant marine and fisheries because the speaker could not find an equally good assignment upon aome other committee. As the merchant marine and fisheries commit tee is made up from a hasty examination of geographical conditions there are but two atitl-subsldy men among the repub licans on this committee, Wilson of Illinois and Hinshaw of Nebraska. Majority for Sabatdy. "Uncle Joe" gave a great deal of thought to the complexion of the committee on merchant marine and fisheries. He pro posed at the outset to have a majority of the committee in favor of a ship subsidy bill, should such a measure be offered In tbe Sixtieth congress, ana he did not pro- - to iuxv to transfer, a man from that conwnMSc-e to another eomrnrt'ee. uid give Lucius Ltttauer of New Tork a place In order that a majority measure in favor f a ship Bubsidy could be voted out of com mittee, as he did in the fifty-ninth con gress. In makeup the new committee on merchant marine looks very good for a subsidy bill, but wise men about the cap ltol do not expect any subsidy legislation until after the elections of next year, when. If the country goes republican, a subsidy bill can be passed easily In the short ses sion, and should the country go demo cratic they will Jam a bill through with out regard to the feelings of the opponents to such a measure. Mr. Hinshaw takes fourth place on Indian affairs and goes next to the top on patents. Judge Boyd of the Third district secures three committee assignments election No. S, Invalid pensions and private land claims. His assignment to invalid pensions will give htm about all the committee work he can do and being the only Nebraakan on the committee he will undoubtedly have, charge of pension bills for Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. By his own request Judge Klnkald was transferred from Insular affairs to the committee on irrigation of arid lands, re taining his committee places on Paclflo railroads and education. Judge Norris of the Fifth district retains ihe same committees he had in the fifty ninth congress, moving up two places to sixth on the list in the committee of public buildings and grounda, from eighth to sev enth place on the committee on labor and from fourth to third place on the commit tee on election of president and vice presi dent. Th lone democrstlc member from Omnha. Gilbert M. Hitchcock, secures In dian affairs. Irrigation of arid lands and Pacific railroads. In two of these com mitteesIrrigation of arid lands and Pa cific railroads th democrst from Nebraska will meet Judge Kinkaid. republican from the same atate, while in ' Indian affairs Hitchcock will meet Klnshsw, assuring the Omahas, Wlnnebagos snd Santres of Ne braska close consideration. Places for Iowa Mea. Judge Smith of the Council Bluffs district requested that he be assigned to no other committee than that on approprtatlona and the speaker respected his wishes. Judge Comner of the Tenth Iowa retains his old committees, public buildings and grounds, llbrsry and labor. Hubbard of the Sioux City district Is re- talned on insular affairs, but Is given two other committees, revision cr laws and ex penditures in the Department of Justice. Mr. Birdaall leaves both his old com mittees, that of Judiciary and merchant marine and fisheries, taking places on livers and harbors and on railways and canals. t Mr. Haugeii is appeased because he was not made chslrman of agriculture by being given the chairmanship cf expenditures in th Interior department. Congressman Mondell landed the chair manship of public lands, succeeding Major John F. Lacey of Iowa, who was left at home. A fight was made upon Mondtii by Fordney of Michigan and Volstead of Minnesota, but the Wyoming congressman hsd too big a draft and he easily landed the plum. The South t-akota representatives are par ticularly fortunate In their committee as signments. Judge Parker of the Black Hills district goes Jinon Indian affair and militia, while representative Hall secured advantageous places on public lands and mines and mining, committees in which South Dakota is largely interested. Congressman Hall leaves for his horns. Brooking. H. D., Saturday. Prewideat Still fur Taft. Senator Brown had a short Interview with the president today, but only ths general political situation wa gone over, (Continued on Baoend Paga, ROBBER'S DARING ATTEMPT Watekfalaeaa of Track WrrLnil ITe U I.Mtla af far (sa. talnlna Rallioa. PHILADELPHIA. Dec. IS Charged with making a daring attempt to rob a car on the Buffalo express containing gold bullion, while the train was standing In the Read ing terminal last night, William A. Hewitt, who gives his sddress as SJS West Fifteenth street. New Y'ork, was today held in heavy ball for a further hearing. The train had been mads up and was scheduled to leave at :9 p. m., via the Reading railway and the Lehlph Valley. One of the express cars, containing ifio.aw) in gold bullion, was being ehipped by the government to Buffalo. The alleged attempt at robbery waa dis covered by accident. A yardman while at work on a track adjoining fie one on which the expresa train stood heard a peculiar noise and on investigation dis covered Hewitt under the bullion car at work with a saw on a gas pipe. The yardmso gave the alarm and Hewitt as pursued through the station. He was caught before he could escape In the crowd of Christmas shoppers on the street and taken to the Central rolloe station. About the same time Hewitt was dis covered the lights in the car went out and an examination of the gas pipe showed that it had been 'punctured. At th hear ing today the police exhibited the saw left by Hewitt in 1:1s flight and a section of the gas pipe. The police say they are working on the theory that Howitt prob ably expected to enter the car a'.ler the lights had been extinguished and loot It unobserved. He wilt la believed to have been assisted by accomplices and the police aie1 look'ng for two other men. Hewitt s ball was fired at $S.0. He Is said to have hern employed ebout tho station loading express cars and was familiar with the practice of the United States Express company In shipping bul lion. DAKOTA CORN SHOW A SUCCESS Prire-W Innlnar KialMtl Are Bold at A action at a Good Prtce far Seed torn. MITCHELL. S. D., Dec. 19. (Special Tel egram.) The closing day of the state corn show has been the most successful of any, the attendance being larger and the ad dresses being received with greater enlhus lasm. Tha corn school was conducted this ghorn'.ng by Prof. Cole of Brookings col- lege, in which he gave detailed informa tion relative to selecting seed corn and testing the germinating power of the seed. In ti c afternoon Bert Dye of Vermillion, Jolip Branner of Canton, A. J. Wimple of Beresford and G. E. Twamley -of Alex andria, all expert corn raisers, gave their personal experience in tHe production of corn, which gave more of the detail of the growing of the product than has yet been put forth In the convention. A committee ws appointed to confer with the officers of the Improved Live Stock Breeders' association regarding holding meetings on the same date In the latter part of January. After the adjournment of the convention this afternoon, the corn which had been "f . m thj v"a atl aol for scoring pur poses was disposed or at public auction for seed corn and some good prinei wer realised for the grain. Next year the show will be carried f jrwsrd on a H-iger basis, now that a membership fee haa been estab lished. CENTRAL MEETING ADJOURNS Febrnary Hi Session, s Been Agreed Oa Date to Be Agreed Oa Later. for CHICAGO, Dec. 19. The Illinois Central meeting haa been adjourned until Feb ruary, the date to be fixed later. CHICAGO. Dec." 19. Judge Ball an nounced today after a conference with the attorneys for the Harriman and Fish In terests that he would at 2 o'clock thla aft ernoon announce his decision whether to adjourn the annual meeting of the Illinois Central or give a decision on the Injunction proceeding that have been pending be fore him during the last few days. In accordance with the suggestion of the court It was decided that the annual meet ing, which was called at noon, should ad journ until S p. ra. Throughout the dead lock between the attorneys over the ques tion of whether to postpone the annual meeting until after the court's decision on the injunction the Harriman attorneys bad Insisted on such postponement. The Fish lawyers averred that the meeting should proceed and that the ahari-s of stock which had been temporarily enjoined be counted In accordrnce with the order of the court. As neither side was willing to make any concesuioiis Judge Ball stated he would this afternoon decide what cou'se to pursue. J. "HAM" LEWIS UNDER LIGHT Paasea Long; Enough to Say He Will Be Candidate for Governor af Illinois. NEW TORK. Dc. 19. J. Hamilton Lewis of Chicago announced last nlgJ.t that he would accept the nomination for governor of Illinois if It were tendered him. He said: "I am not seeking the office, but will accept the nomination and make the fight for acniocratic supremacy If I am given the platform of principles I stand for. "This country bas been runr'ng rampant on the mania that men can be legislated Into honesty. To be honest In plures of tnm ,i10uj t taught as a right to fellow- men and duty to sif. The criminal vio lating the law should be punished, but it is criminal to cor.flbtate the property of the innocent to punish one guilty. "It Is barbaric to wipe out a class or association to gratify resentment of some one offender. We need no new laws, but sensible execution of the old ones. A rreater regard for the rights of people and less seal to punish some Individual will be the platfortrs of both parties at the coming presidential nominations if they are wise." MAYOR KNOCKS ON LID LAW St. Faal Esecatlvr Says Elevra O'clerk t'loslac Will Hart Temperaare. ST. PAUL. Minn., Dec. 19 Mayor Robert A. Smith has declared himself opposed to the enforcement In St Paul of the slate law requiring that saloons cl'.se at 11 p. m., though he Is powerless to control the ac tion of the police in the matter. Chief of Police O'Connor, In accordance with a re quest made by ll.e attorney general, l.n ordered tbe esrly closing lid to be applied. "I am opposed to this 11 o'rlock closing." said Mayor Smith; "It is an outrage. ATI laws are not made to be enforced. The 11 o'clock closing will work against the In terests of the people who ait flghiiiig against th saloon. DIG MINE HORROR Two Hundred Fifty Men Entombed Near Srnithton, Pa. EXPLOSION BLOCKS ENTRANCE Interior of Workings Wrecked by Force of Explosion. S0ME MAY BE STILL ALIVE Fans Are Working and Mine is Not on Fire. RESCUE PARTIES ARE BUSY It Is Hoped to Hearfc lmprlseaed Mea Before Morata Third Mia Kaploeioa Within Few J Days. . j, ? Bl I.LKT1X. SMITH TON. Fa.. Per. 19. Th most liable estimates obtainable t this hour place the number oi men caught by tha explosion at the i'.iir mine of the Pitta burg Cosl company t U3o. The mine I located atmut one and one-half mile from this place. The mine is not burning and the ventilating fans are being operated according to report received here. No on hns come out of the mine since the explo sion, but Uitre 1 i,o;? that some of tha men are still living. Rescue work 1 pro gressing and It Is expected the Imprisoned men will be reacbed by tnoinlng. CONNELLSVILLE. Pa.. Dec. 19. Four hundred miners are entombed In the Darr mines of the Pittsburg Coal company at Jacob's lieek, on the Youghiogheny river, eighteen miles west of her. Of these 4 00 fully 100 are Americans, tha rest being principally Hungarians. An explosion shook the vicinity of th mine at 11:30 this morning and announced to all the surrounding community that a great convulsion of some kind had oc curred down under the surface. Shortjly after smoke began to Issu la heavy columns from the mouth of th mine, which Is of the .slope variety. Th mouth of the mine w as wrecked and thla circumstance in connection with the fir which was discovered to be raging inside prevented effectually up to 1 p. m. any attempt at rescue of the imprisoned men. The building of the Federal Supply com pany, adjacent to tha entrance to the mine. was aliisluly damaged by th force pf th sTMrk, causing tlie building to rock and some of its Window to break. Among those imprisoned In the mine are Pit Loss O'Connell and two fire bosses. On account of the violence of the ex plosion, which rent the Interior of the mine, the presence of fire, with the blocked condition of the mouth of the stop. It la not thought there is much chance for tha men inside.- Whether they are survived or will ur vlve is one of the uncertainties of th present hour. There is no means yet ( d.ilng more than id g irss whether It wa gas or coal dust that exploded. The jcene of ilie explosion 1 oa the Pittsburg A Lake Erie railroad side of th Touerliioglieny river. Jacobs creek, on th main line of the Baltimore Ohio railroad, is across the river. it is forty mile east of Pittsburg and eiglueen miles weat ol Conni llEvllle. Mouth of Workings Obstructed. The Pittsburg Coal company mine ara on both sides of the Youghiogheny river. The coal mined in this field is used for coking purposes. It Is a part of the original Conncllsville coke field. The mine in this section are said to contain consider able gas. The officials express but little hop of saving the lives of the unfortunate men, the mouth of the shaft is tilled with rock and eanh and the passageway are said to be badly obstructed. Within a few minutes after th exploaloa the mouth of the pit wa surrounded by the relatives and friends of the entombed men. The scene were most pitiful. Th smoke and flames issuing from th slope made it impossible to enter -and tha wives and children were frantic. Every effort 1 being made to subdue tha fire, but it was burning so fiercely that no headway could le made. It Is stated that the superintendent of the mine is one of those Imprisoned; that he went into the mine to Investigate Its condition and wns cr.ught In the explosion. WEST NEWTON. Pa.. Dec. l.-Report of the disaster at the Dtrr mine received here are to the effect that there are nearer 510 men in the mine than f0. Physician left here, for the scene shortly after 1 o'clock. Prompt Mean for It ear a. Vice President Woodford stated that 1M men were likely In the mine at the tim ir of the accident. Immedistely upon receipt of the news of the explosion the official of the company here took prompt measure for relief. Orders were sent to th sur rounding mines requesting that expert men be rushed to the scene to ansUt In th work. Phjflclans were also dispatched on th trains from Pittsburg and tha town ad jacent to Jacob's Creek. This Is the third big niln accident which has occurred In this vicinity during tha past three weeks. The fit t occurred at tha Naomi mine of the United Coal company, and thirty-f ur men sacrificed their Uvea Two works ago tha explosion of dust at Monongah snuffed out the lives of fcO more, Mlae Waa Modera Oaa. PITTSBURG, Dec. 19,-Wcrd of the ex plosion rea-hed th loi at office of th Pitts burg Coal company in this city early this afternoon. The oi; patch gave no detail further than that an explosion had oc curred at Darr mine between Smlthon and Wh'rTcll. The officials of the company aay that the mine was one of the. largest arid was equlpj ed with the most mc-dem ap pliances. At thia afternoon no det ills had been received at the company' office in this city and the exact number of men la the wins at the time of the aocKer.t iiu not known It is said the shifts are i.ot larger than LA men. The oir.ciala regard the mlna aa one of the safest owned by them and expresa the belief that toe exp! xlon would not reach all the workings, in which event many of the men would still be alive and probably would be rescued. FARMER BOY KILLS SISTER Thlakiac Gu'a I alaaded, Jaha Meyer Blasts Head from Shoulders af GlrL DES MOINES. Dec. 1.-TMnaing it un. loaded, John Meer, a farmer boy living at Holy Crotai la . pointed a ahoigun at hi S 3 ear-old aisier today and pulled the trig ger. Bo close was the girl to the muxxla of the weapon that her bead wa bp -a from her abouldea