Fhe Omaha Daily Bee
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VOL. XXXVII NO. 150.
OMAHA, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 20, 1D07 TEN PAGES.
SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS.
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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
