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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 1914)
The Omaha Daily Bee ADVERTISING IS THE UNIVERSAL LAXGUAGK SPOKEN EVEKVWIIKRK BY BUYERS AND SELLERS. THE WEATHER. Fair OL. XLUt-NO. l08. OMAHA, FU1DAY MOKNING, FEBRUARY 27, lOU-FOVRTBEN PAGES. On Trains and at Hotel Ksws Standi, 80. SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS. VILLANOWSAYSBODY OFBENTQNWAS TAKEN Villa and Huerta: "Murderer!" WINNER OF THE VANDERBILT DE PALMA WINS RUN SOCIETY NIGHT IS MAGNET FOB CROWD AT THE AUTO SHOW CUP RACE YESTERDAY. FROM MELD persistent Reports Are in Circula tion in Washington that it Has Been Cremated. Veteran Assam Second Vnnderbilt Unusual Attendance Marks Setting Cup Race on Santa Monica Course. Aside of Special Evening for Society Folks. ISSUE IS NOW UP TO CARRANZA SIXTEEN CARS ENTER CONTEST EVENING DRESS PREVAILS TO CITY OF CHIHUAHUA r Head of Insurectos Must Demon strate His Authority. ALARMIST REPORTS ARE DENIED Hnerta Says He Refused Permit to Send Two Thousand Marines. 0 SUCH REQUEST WAS MADE President Wilson Siijn Dlrtntor linn Not Ilee itAsked to Allow Pnm Bgc of Any American 1 Force to Cnpltnl. ltL'MiUTlN. WASHINGTON, Fob. 26.-.U a con ference today between Secretary Bryan and Ambassador Sprlng-Rlce It was de cided that British Consul Perceval will not proceed Into Mexico for tlio examina tion of William 8. Benton's body until "better arrangements can be made." , WASHINGTON, Feb. 26,-The American government was exerting every Influence, at 1U disposal to obtain from General Villa the surrender of the body of WI1 1 l!am S. Benton, tho British subject ro 1 ontly executed at Juarez. No reply hail been received to the Instructions sent to Consul Letcher yesterday to find Ben ton's grave, and Secretary Bryan was surprised by news dispatches quoting Villa ns saying Benton was burled In Chihuahua City. There have been per sistent reports here, too, that the body was cremated. Secretary Bryan conferred with Presi dent Wilson and said nothing new in tho situation had developed. Official denial came from tho Whlto House of one pub lished report that Bear Admiral Fletcher had recommended the landing of marines at Vera Crur. ; Attention was chiefly centered on tho Benton Investigation, and high officials conceded that future development of tho American policy toward Mexico hinged on the outcome of the Incident. Another feature of the situation which loomed up as of commanding importance was the fact that the Benton Incident promises to develop Into a test of Car ranza's authority and Influence as chief of the constitutionalist movement. Every sort of presauic, It Is understood, Is being (Continued from Pago. One.) brought to bear' On' Carranza, both by Americans and 'Mexicans, who have the eoiifldencVoT-thfe:- Washington -officials, with-the purposeof' Impressing him with tho ecesstlyjot" a cliar and convincing explanation of nil tho circumstances sur rounding tho death of Benton. No4 tip to Cnrrnnxn. if Carranza cannot obtain that from i Villa, the power of the so-called "first ' chief of tho constitutionalists" will fall In the estimation of the Washington gov ernment. Officials hero' have for some t'nie been disposed to feel kindly toward Carranza, and favorable reports on' his character wcro transmitted to President Wilson by '() William Bayard Hale. Should It de velop, however, that Carranza Is with out control over Villa, It Is moro than probable that relations with Carranza will be viewed by officials as of less Im portance hereafter. Persons In a position to know the view point of tho president and cabinet officers tay the disposition of the administration Is to insist on the facts of the Ucnton cpl- sode -and possession of the body for medical examination, but that there ls!frcm tho tme WBg marrJetI at tll0 nothing yet to Indicate, a critical stage. 1 Another published report which at tracted attention of officials was to the effect that tho American embassy In Mexico City had been equipped with ma chine guns. Tho only arms there, It was said, nre several rifles, Imported just before the street fighting that ended In Mudero'a downfall. Officials here made It plain that they regarded such an announcement by General Huerta as being made for Its possible effect In Mexico City nnd to (Continued on Page Two.) The Weather Forecast tilt 7 p. m. Friday: For Omaha, Council Bluffs and Vicinity -Fair. Tempemtnre Omuba Ycaterilnr. Hours. Des. S a. m. ..iG Comparative 1314. MIS. JS!?. 1911 Highest yesterday t) 26 22 21 Lowest yesterday..,,... 25 3 15 Si Mean temperature., S II IS a Precipitation 00 T .24 .0) Temperature and precipitation depar tures from the normal: Normal temperature 27 Excess for the day , i Total excess since March 1 11.7'J Normal precipitation 02 Inch . Deficiency for the day 02 Inch I Total rainfall since March 1... .23.13 Inches I Deficiency since March 1 4.24 inche I Deficiency for cor. period. 19U.'4.'35 lncl.es (V Deficiency for cor. period. 1912.13.19 Inches rteportx from Stntlons at 7 P. 91. tuition and btate Temp. High- Rain- ef Weather 7 1. m. est. fall T .') .04 .y .(O .42 T .0 Cheyenne, clear 21 Si Davenport, cloudy &5 40 Denver, partly cloudy 10 34 Des Moines, cloudy 3S 40 Dodge City, cloudy 3$ SO Lander, clear 25 as North Platte, cloudy .11 28 . Omaha, partly cloudy 33 40 Pueblo, cloudy M 3S Rapid City, clear 22 as Salt Lako City, clear 3 3 Santa Fe, clear 30 44 Sheridan, clear 34 40 Hloux City, cloudy 34 40 Valentine, cloudy 32 54 "J" Indicates trace of precipitation. U A. WELSH, Local Forecaster. nt fBSBSLmmmSSSSSSSSSSSSmBm RALPH D1C PALMA Financial Operations of the Rock Island Criticised in House WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. Bitter critic Ism of tho Rock Island railway and Its flnanclat operations, wus raised In tho houso today by Representative Green of Iowa, speaking In support of his resolu tion to authorize tho Interstate Com merce commission to make nn Investiga tion of that road. The Bpeakcr compared the operations of tho Bock Island to those of the New Haven and Frisco sys tems, already under Investigation, de claring that the plan under which thi holding companies controlled the finances of tho Rock Island was utterly indc fcnsablo from any standpoint. Through the manipulations of tho hold ing companies, Mr. Green asserted that J121,O0O,0CO of water was poured' upon tho railway companies stocks and bond.s, while the fixed charges of tho road had been Increased from 40 to 90 per cent. "The railway companies never received ono dollar's benefit by or through tho stock issued by the holding companies," ho declared. "Its origin affords flnancal frco hooters nn opportunity to exploit the railway and the public." Tho speaker further charged that the millions of securities floated by tho hold ing companies ''wcro put up merely for the aggrandizement of a, few-' men with out any return being given." Referring' to tho equipment of theMTock Island, ho said: "It Is reported that It has spent Jii.000, COO since 1K7 for equipment hlro alone and still It la known that it has not been properly supplied. A chorus of complaints have gono up rrom tno puouo an along the lino for lack of proper service, trains behind time, Inability to move traffic, und the road has been heavily mulcted In damages by reason of delayed freight. Wrecks havo been frequent nnd only good fortune has prevented tho casualty roll from being large." Mrs. Buff urn Denies All Statements in Alleged Confession LITTLE VALLEY, N. Y., Feb. 26.- nf ,,. )lllhnn,,. . tnAn.. testified ln ,, Hrrl, n, ,ir. ago of 15 to the death of her husband last August. Sho paid that Buffum was a constant drinker and ot lato years had frequently threatened to kill himself and tho cntlro family. She denied ever putting poison In her husband's food. "My husband," Mrs. Buffum testified, "always drank. Wo had not been mar ried three months beforo he made accu sations against my character, naming my father and other members ot my own family. "It met Ernest Frahm at the county fair, during fair week. 1 wan not alone with htm then nor at any other time." Putnam Griswold, American Grand Opera Star, Dead XKW YORK. Feb. 26. Putnam Grls- JJJ 'ig ' wold, Arnerlcan basso ana member of the 8 a. m!!!!!"""!".2S Metropolitan Opera company, died today 9 a. m .T) In a privuto sanitorium here. He was J a m 1 operated on for appendicitis on February 12m..!""!'!!!'.!!!ri! ' ,e' Complications developed. 1 p.'m'.!!!"!!!!!'.!!i". Mr. Grlswold was born In Minneapolis 2 P. m y ln 1S7G. Ho made hla first appearance 4 p! m!!!!!"!!"'!W as an Pcrat,c Btar ln London In 1901. Ho 5 p! m!i!!!!!!!!!!!!a was a great favorite In Berlin and was 6 p. m & . twice decorated by tho kaiser, before J P- JJJ whom ho had sung at the, palace. His , .. ' ' "" "'.death enmo at a time when ho :was con- sldercd career. uv Kiiv ui Ilia u('i-iuuv SNOW FOOT DEEP IN SOUTH CAROLINA COLUMBIA, S. C. Feb. 26. The imow fall in Columbia nnd vicinity reached 11.7 Inches last night, surpassing all records of tho local weather bureau. Business was supended today, schools were closed, not a street car moved and th suburban population was snow bcund. The heaviest fall In twenty years is reported In nearly every part of the state. HOSPITAL ANNEX TO MONTREAL PRISON BURNS MONTREAL. Feb. 23.-A fire broke out today in the Bt. Vincent De Paul pen!- OJltentiary. a state Institution, destroyed 'In jj hospital annex and did extensive damage '0: to tho surgical department. The patler.ts T In the hoipltal were all safe. There are 39) prisoners In the institution, which is outside of Montreal. Two Leaders Battle from Eighteenth Lap to Finish. VICTOR WITHOUT ANY MISHAP Nearest Competitor Obliged to Stop and Change Wheel. PULLEN HITS A BARRICADE Avernae of Clmmnlnti I 7HAI l'er Hour, Slower hy Three Mites Til nil Itecoril Set Ity Teddy Tetslnff. LOS ANGELES, Cal., Feb. . Detent Ing Barney Oldfleld by a trifle more than a minute In a 291-mllo grind, Ralph De Palma, participant In scores of hard. fought motor contests, won his second Vnnderbilt cup rnco todny on tho Santa Monica course. His tlmo was 3:53:41; Oldfleld'a 3:;01. Slxtcon cars entered the race nnd only flvo finished, but from tho eighteenth lap to tho finish It was a contest solely between DePalma and Oldfleld. DePolma won becauso ho did not have to stop onco In all tho thirty-five laps of the eight tnllo course. Oldfleld lost what chance he hnd when he was compelled to stop and chango a wheel In tho thlrty-fourt lap and lost nearly a minute. Tho other drivers that remained In the race were W. It, Carlson of San Dle'go, Earl Cooper, who started a favorite, and George Jocrlman, and they finished in tho order named. Average of 75.41. DePalma made tho raco at an avcrago speed of 75.6 miles per hout. This was slower by three miles per hour than tho course record set by Teddy Tctzlaff when ho won a Santa Monica road race, but It was faster than the Vanderbllt cup record of 74.07 miles, made by Mulford at Savannah In 1911, and faster than tho speed DePalma himself made when ho won the cup raco at Mllwaukeo in 1912. Thero was but one accident during tho race. Edwin Pullcn, who mado ono of tho fastest laps of the day elghty-flvo miles per hour and was leading In the four tecnth lap, took a turn at tori If !c speed and crashed Into an iron barrlcftdo which protected a throng of spectators. Tho car was wrecked, but both Pullcn and his mechanician emerged unhuit, The day was perfect and the courna ap' pearcd in excellent condition, hut the first lap of tho raco had not been completed beforo breakdowns nnd mishaps began 1 educing the number of racers. Seven had quit or been ordered out beforo half the race had been completed. Doenn't I' 1 11 1 nil First l.np. Harry Grant, driving No. 1, who was first away, did not complete the firs lap. Wlshart, who was No, 2, lusted threo (Continued on Pago Two.) Colorado Dispute Now Rages Around Firing First Shot TRINIDAD, Colo., Feb. 26. The months old dlsputo between striking coal miners and mine owners as to who fired the first shot In tho labor war In southern Colo rado was threshed out beforo tho con gressional investigating committee today. Witnesses for the coal operators gave their versions of tho buttle at Ludlow 6n October 7 between guards In on automo bile and strikers from tho tent colony. Witnesses for tho operators today sworo that tho first shots were fired by tho strikers. Counsel for tho miners sought to establish their claim that the guards fired Into the Ludlow colony beforo the strikers used their guns. In tho automobile on October 7 were Wnlter Belk, and G. W. Belcher, dotoc- tives; D. S. Larson, a hotel proprietor; rt. G. Holt, company store manager at Delagua; N. J. Chapln, superintendent of machinery for the Victor American Fuel company, and W. H. Watson, tho driver. Piano Factory in Chicago is Burned CHICAGO, Feb. 26.-Flre today de stroyed the Henry Dctmer piano factory In North Clarlmont avenue, causing a loan of fGO.OOO. The factory was near St. Elizabeth's hospital, but storm windows kept the nolso from the patients and there was no excitement. Mass being celebrated In a church ad joining tho burning building was not In terrupted and' nt Us conclusion the con gregation Joined the crowd which watched tho flamrs. CUBAN SUGAR ENTITLED TO LOWER TARIFF RATE WASHINGTON, Feb. M.-Attorncy Gen et al McReynolds held today that Cuban sugar Is entitled to a reduction of 20 per cent under all other tarlrf rates undor tho new law Tho nttorney general's opinion, which In effect sustains n. differential for Cuban fcugar under tho new lnw, I of Immense Importance to the Louls'ana cane growers and the beet sugar men. who conducted a strong fight against It. Tho new rates on sugar imports becoming effective on March 1, will be effected by the decision. BECKER LEAVES DEATH HOUSE FOR TOMBS OSSINING, N. Y.. Feb. 2fl.-ln the cus tody of deputy sheriffs and accompanied by his wife and counsel, Charles Decker, former police lieutenant, left the death house In Slug Sing prison late this after noon for New YorW From New York Sun. THOUSAND STATE INCOMES That Many More Nebraskans Give Amount to Collector Hammond. RETURNS ARE COMING IN FAST Internal neveiuie Officials) will Omit Fines for All Who Mnke. Htntemeiitn Before Mon day MornliiK'. Nearly 1,000 additional returns of In comes have been received by Ross L. Hammond, collector of Internal rovenuo for the district of Nebraska, during tho present week, making a total of 1,915 per sons In tho state who have complied with the law, and mado the roturn required under the now Incomo tax law. It Is estimated that thero aro C.C00 per sons In tho Btato who should mako this return, nnd Indications from tho volumo of business ln tho office now aro that more than half that number will bo re ceived before Sunday night. Telegrams and letters from different cities over the state have been received at tho offlco here, asking for income blanks for the return. Ross L. Hnmrnond decided yesterday that all returns received In tho office In. Omaha on Hunday would .bo In sufficient time to provent paying tho flno or pen alty which attaches to. those who fall to make tho return on or beforo March 1. This In effect means that If tho return Is received In tho postofflco hero by Sun day, even though It may riot bet delivered to tho offlco of tho collector, it may pro vent a prosecution of tho person making such a return. Tlio fine of from 20 to 110,000 may he invoked on thoso who . fall to mako the return on or beforo March 1. DES MOINES MAN NEED NOT SUPPORT HIS WIFE NKW YORK, Feb. 2C.-Tho domestic relations court today refused to compel Julius I), Lorgo of Des Moines, Io a wealthy mine owner, to support his wife, who loft their homo In Des Moines not long ago, taking with her their 2V4-year- old daughter. Lorgo paid he was willing to support his wife If sho would como home and agreed to support the child, even though It remained with tho mother. Mrs. Lorgo refused to rejoin her hus band. The National Capital Thursday, IVhrunry 241, 101 1. The Heiiiite, 3let at noon. President Van lllbo of the University cf Wisconsin testified on tlio trado com mission bill. Ccmmorco committee voted to favor ably report bills to combine the revenue cutter and life saving services Into a coast guurd service, and for four new revrnllu cutters. Debate resumed on the postofflco ap propriation bill. Immigration committee laid plans to er.ninlute the Uurnett bill. Adjourned at 5:30 p. m. to noon Friday. The House. Debate on urgent deficiency appropria tion bill resumed. President Hush of the Missouri Pacific and Chairman Trumbull of tho Chesa peake & Ohio dlscusxcd railroad prob lems before the commerce oommittee. Herbert Noble. Now York, protested be fore the Judiciary committee against leg' Islatlon to further define restraints of trade. Foreign affairs commute agreed to consider tomorrow the Ainoy resolution asking Information of protection for Americans In Mexico. Representative Kahn assullej the ad ministration's Mexican policy. The Immigration committee discussed Aslatle exclusion. I'rgent dcflclenrybilt carrying JIO.OOo, 000 passed. Adjourned afC:o5 p. m to noon Friday. Taf t Will Present Reasons for Reform in Court Procedure WASHINGTON, Fob. 26.-Fornlcr Picsl dent Taft. as president of the American .Bar association, will ho heard tomorrow by tho houso committee on Judiciary In roferenco to tho proposed retorm and simplification of procedure In tho united States federal courts. Mr. Tnft will be accompanied by a number ot well known lawyers Interested a tho reform of federal court procedure, Including Judgo Alton H. Pnrker, Senator Rcot, Iouls Brandels, Dean Hosooe Pound of Harvard, Frank H. Kellogg, Judgo Henry Wade Rogers, lato denn ot Ynl6 university, nnd Thomas W. Sheltoh, chairman of tho uniform Judicial pro cedure committee of tho American Bar association. It is expected tho bill pending beforo tho Judiciary committee will bo promptly reported and passed by both branches of congress, ob It is now ngrecn upon in fdrm nnd 1ms tho approval of President Wilson nnd Attorney General McReyn olds. Joint Conference of Coal Operators and Miners Adjourns PHILADELPHIA, Fob. W.-The Joint conference of minora and operators who havo been hero for several weeks to ar- rango a now wngo scnlo for tho central competitive, bituminous fields, adjourned sine die lato today without reaching nn agreement. It was stated that tills does not necessarily mean a strike, as tho existing agreement docs not expire until March 31. It Is expected tho general con' ferenco will bo reconvened In a western city between now and March 31, Twelve Killed and Eight Injured by an Explosion in Berlin UKRLIN. Feb. M. Twelve men wore killed and eight others fatally injurod today In an explosion which destroyed an extensive aniline, dye factory in Rummclsburg, a suburb, Thero were 400 employes In tho building at the time ot the explosion, which was heard nil over Uerlln. SCHOOLMASTERS ARE TALKING SHOP RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 26. The depart ment of superintendents: of the National Kducatlon association continued In con vention hero today. II. H. Wilson, su perintendent of schools, Topeka, Kan., delivered a rcort on "Economy of Tlmo in Education," participated In by J, F. HobIu, Chicago Normal college, and W. A. Jossup, University of Iowa. The "Hound Table" was participated In by Marlln G. Brumbaugh, Philadelphia David Sneddon, Hoston, and other college presidents, school superintendents and tstute commissioners. FOLK OFFERED JOB BY COMMERCE COMMISSION WASHINGTON. Fob. JG.-Joieph W. Folk, solicitor of tho State department and former governor of Missouri, has been offered and probably will acoept the new post of clilcr counsel for the Inter state Commerce commission ut a salary of JK.OC0 a year PLUMBERS OF STATE HERE Convention Opens at the Rome with Good Attendance. I. J. DUNN MAKES THE WELCOME 1 , t.nmro Number ot Womeu Ate Hero vrHli Tlielr llusWittla nlul Spe cial iliitrrlntnment Is Pro vided for Them. With moro than a hundred memberj nJ their Wives present tho fifth annut.l convention of tho Nebraska M.utcr 'lumbers' association opened ut tlio Rome hotel yesterday morning. More than 11 third of tho crowd whloli filled tho convention hall for the opening session was composed of the Wives of the plumbers In attendance, und a spe cial progrnm has been provided for their entertainment during the two days ot tua (invention. In his address of wclcoino I, J. Dunn discussed the status ot tho trado nnd told of tho problems which coufronlnJ tho organization. "If you would put together nil the llvtti lost through accident and flro In nf.'lco buildings, factories, homes and tho like, you ' would Imvo only half the number Hint dlo annually In this country as ti result of disease caused by Improper sanitation, chiefly duo to defective plumb- ng, or tho absenco of any plumbing nt all," said Dunn. Plumbers' Triute Klevnted. Georgo II. Wcntz ot Lincoln, picsldcnt of tho association, mado a reply to thollrgs of Baltimore & Ohio stock and a cordial wclcoino and spoku of the eleva tlon of the plumbers' trado. He said that It was no longer ono scoffed at und ; Jeered by actors, curtoonlstH und the pub lic In general, but was 0110 composed of tho better class ot business men, working for better conditions of sanitation in both homo und factory, and classed them as sanitary engineers. J. C. Rlxby, president of the Omaha Master PlumbcrH' association, also made a brief address of welcome, and he espe cially emphasized tho need of legislation to produce mpro sunltary conditions in smuller towns us well us In tho cities. Two officers of tho similar organiza tion In Kansas were at the meeting and both mado short speeches. A. It. Elder of Ottawa, Kun., president ot the Kansas Master Plumbers' association, told ot tho Importance of tho sanitary and plumbing work In connection with tho construction of the Panama canal and brought the greetings, of the Kansas aesoclatlnn. W. S. Guild of Hutchinson, Kan., told ot the anclont history of the trade, tracing It back to Biblical times. A number of other short speeches were mado by A. J. Wyant of Lincoln, Ed Long, Grand Island; Barney Gruenwald, Omuha; F. B. Edson und William Bell amy ot Omaha, tho latter ono of the vet erans of tho organization. PICKRELL BOY CAUGHT IN FLYWHEEL OF ENGINE BEATRICE, Neb., Feb. 26.-(Speclal.j- Dwatn Bohnstedt, the 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Bohnstedt, who reside six miles east of Pickrell, was caught In tho fly wheel of a gasoline engine Wednesday while sawing wood at his home and severely cut about tho face and head. Jlo was attempting to tighten a burr on the engine when his coat caught In tho wheel and he was thrown Into the machine. One of tho men work ing with young Bohnstedt throw oft thft belt and stoppel tho machinery, prob ably saving the hoy's life. Two ugly gashes were cut In his head and his) Ut vtas badly cut Fild bruised, Factory Men Set Pace for the Locals in Wearing Apparel. SALES REACH HIGH MARK All Dealers Are More Than Pleased with the Way Cars Go. FLOWERS ADD TO THE SCENE Pretty Women Fill the Cnm Whllo the llnml Piny Tnntnllr 1 11 a ' Tnimo -'Mil le, lint Dancing l Not Permitted. As was fitting nnd proper, society night nt tho ninth annual automobile show last night proved to bo tho biggest night "n history, not even excepting Wednesday night, which broke all provlous records. Tho crowds swarmed through tho doors last night until It seemed as If not un other person could find breathing space In tho Auditorium, but for all that tho line nt tho entranco never dwindled anV nil found some spot whero they could, stnnd unmolested. Tho number of persons who wore even ing clothes was surprisingly large. Many of the dealers doomed It expedient to re frain frm making nny pretentious dis play of scenery, but all the factory rep resentatives mado un for the deficiency of tho local men nnd a vnst proportion of guests wcro attired for tho occasion. Tho factory men, anticipating society night, had lugged their clawhammer out to Omaha nnd they wcro not to bo deprived of the right to wear them. They did nnd wcro objects ot admira tion and chagrin by the local men who scorned such displays. Women in Evidence. Tho feminine contingent was almost aj laige m the masculine The women took Just as much Interest ln the cars an tho men although their interest wan largely confined to tho luxuriant uphol stery, tho electric lights and the fancy trimmings, while tho men were moro In clined to bo Inquisitive about the stabil ity ot tho machinery and tho con struction. , An edict was Issued to tho effect that smoking would not bo permissible. Half a - dozen ntutwart ' policemen wcro on hand' to enforce: tUa bam arid they did their duty as far ns was possible. Most, ot tho men acknowledged tho order arid refrained. The- orchestra played appropriate fleets! during tho evening and was accorded frequent applause. Tho selections wcro n, bit aggravating to soma becauso of thu tuneful- Jingle embodied ln most of thorn, but no disturbances followed. Conductor Ncblo aeemt'd to take especial delight ln playing tangoes and trots and other se lections of Blmllar nature, which Inspired a twinkling of tho feet, nnd It wns all some ot tho mora Irrepressible could do to refrain from Indulging In the popular pastlmo. Decorate for Ocension. The Auditorium was tastefully deco rated for tho occasion. Flowers woro literally scattered all over every booth and over the cars. Roses, carnations and other beautiful flowers predominated, (Continued on Page Eight) Equitable Objects to Union Pacific Melon Cutting NEW YORK, Feb. 26.-Th KqultabH LIfo Assurance society. It was author!' tatlvoly learned today, will Institute legal action to restrain the Union Pacific Rail road company from distributing Its hold- ensh dlvldond of $3 to holders of Union Pacific, common. Such a disbursement: plan was recently announced. Tho Kqut table holds 1,618,000, par value, of Union Pacific preferred. Othor holders ot tho sa mo stock havo already Instituted suits against tho Union Pacific. STEAMSHIP BRITANNIC LAUNCHED AT BELFAST BELFAST, Ireland, Feb. 2.rh launching today of the Britannic, tlu 60,000-ton liner, marked an lmportunt de velopment In constructional safety, so far ns engineering Ingenuity can In sure It Tho Britannic, Intonded for the transat lantic service, had only been laid down when the Titanic disaster occurred nnd as iv result of that accident tho plnns ot the now liner wore almost completely re modeled. It is a triple screw steamer, Wi feet In length, and there lias been In troduced Into Its construction every de vice possible to prevent a recurrence ot tho disaster which overtook the Titanic. An Inner skin extends to a considerable height above the load line, the most vul nerable portion ot the vessel, and th height and number ot bulkheads has beep Increased. It Is claimed for the vessel that It will be able to float with six compartments flooded. SIOUX INDIANS CALL ON WILSON AND BRYAN WASHINGTON, Feb. 28,-Sloux In dians from the Pine Rldce reservation of 1 South Dakota shook hands today wjth President Wilson and Secretary Bryan. They were presented by Senator Ster ling. In the delegation were High Pipe, Brave BirdIIollow Horn Bear, son ot the late chief, who died here during the Inauguration of President Wilson; Qu'-k Bear, Henry Horse-Looking, Charles Tnckett, William Thunder Hawk and Standing Elk