Evening Star Newspaper, May 2, 1900, Page 2

2 THE EVENING STAR, WED... O\Y, MAY 2, 1900-16 PAGES. A DRAMATIC SCENE Bitter Words Exchanged in the House of Representatives. CANNON RESENTS HEPBURN'S REMARKS Excitement During Canal Bill De- bate. MR. GALLINGER ON PENSIONS When the House met today, on motion of Mr. Hepburn (lowa), in charge of the Nica- ragua canal bill, general debate upon that bill was closed and the bill was read for amendment under the five-mfute rule. Mr. Hepburn offered the committee amendme o substitute the word “pro- tect” for “defend” in the first section. Mr. Mann (IL), a member of the inter- state commerce commitice, said he favored a cana! built, owned and fortified by the United State Mr. Underwood (Ala.) said he earnestly favored the building of the canal. No gen- tleman could be found on the floor who would come out openly, he said, and de- clare his opposition to the project. said, there was opposition, stre dang: nd indirect. ‘The amendment was then adopted. Mr. ) offered an amendment trike n of the bill limit- the lection to the Nic- ar am. Mr. arag! ‘This from called forth a protest who declared that it in the Pan- one of the in the history of the - charged that the emis ment Hepburn Jed to revive discredited corporation were nload the enterprise on the an people. Much as he trusted the he would not trust any chief ex- witn unlimited means at his dis- 1 to make the choice of routes of the canal. Mr. Burton (Ohio) deciared very emphat- ically that he was not in favor of the Pan- canal route, but plain business sense ded @ proper investigation and ex- ation of both rout Parke: amendment was defeated—31 ulloch (Ark.) offered an amené the wor y forti arri- the words “construct” and said ht desired that the I should be unequivocal, in the purpose of Cor the Clayton-Bulwer rtily supported the rtified canal or no did not think the peo- to construct 1 for An Exciting § rene. One of the most exci cenes of the oecurred late - Cannon of Mli- sf lowa clashed over ew minutes the between was Mr. é the chairman . Mr. Cooper thing unp nd the disp; “attempted to inter- there were cries House of “Oh, no, let them Let them rs of © crowded the the rep side and came treoping in from the cloak rooms and com: mittee rooms, where the news of the bitter qu: eding upon the floor memb > of the warm ex- ed between the same ¥. Mr. Hepburn, referr: atements, said of Mr <j erests In his own men who went down to last year for the purp ing franchises for the purpose o the g nment, and that they before the commit of which I am a member they were ready to sell. I think those people are ready to attack my sin- cerity about this matter. I think it alto- gether likely that the Panama Company, who are trying now to unload or to delay this measure, might do that, and I would ask the gentleman now if he has been re- ferring to others that have seen fit to speak evil of me, if he has not had inter- views with some of these men. Mr. Cannon said he knew no man con- nected with officially or unofficially, and had never Known one of them. Mr. Hepburn said that was sufficient for him. Mr. Cannon sprang to his feet and ing his fingers at Mr. Hept i the gentleman say as much?" “Yes ir,” replied Mr. Hepburn, “except appeared before me in com- Chairma continued Mr. for what I said of the gentle- man, I appea! to the Record, and I say that on all occasions that he has had the opportunity by insolent interference he has atternpted to stop the progress of this great work. Twice in the last years that never gave a word of y to the subject have in- ured a divergence, Stopped the project under the pre- of more inforn . the same plea that was made here yesterday. I appeal to the Record, nothing more than that. lear in views the g ave had." “T say this t nued Mr. Hep- burn. “If he means to father It, that the man whe satd [ was not acting in good at I ha the er! moment 1 most benefit u: it was parliamentas the man who attempted ition here w. say about it.” which followed ement uttered nging with anger and re- mnon rose to his feet che y thi to do ft, to >wiy, “I would 2 re he sits down to he last clause.’ y ng you said to im- pu xx bad faith—"* ; Wheeler rose to a point of ore r overruled him 1 will “that i to me, a the say,” continued Mr. Hepburn, Was @ gross and violent injustice 1 the gentieman from Illinois was one that I could assume, by that manner, tried to make such an 2 upon me." Hepburn took his seat Mr. Can- again resumed the floor. Now, Mr. Chairman,” sald Mr. Cannon, “if I may be recognized a moment, I have seen in my time other men and members irying to play the cuttlefish act and muddy Waters und swint away. “Let me Interrupt the gentleman,” sald Hepburn, springing to his feet, “to say gentleman that I propose no cuttlefish movement here. I do not propose to mud the waters and get away. Tam responsible for what I have sald to the gentleman and to this House. I have weighed my words, and while they are earnest, I know what they mean. I be- leve that he tried to dishonor me here and I resent ft. I want him to understand it.” Mr. Cannon then read from the Congres- stonal Record the language uttered yester- day which was the cause of the discussion. “Now, then,” said Mr. Cannon, “it is an open secret that in many papers of this country statements have been made touch- jpg the intention of the gentleman from wa.” ‘Mr. Chairman,” interrupted Mr. Hep- burn, “I am not willing that the gentleman should make that statement. I say that it is unture. There is a paper in Chicago that has sald so, resen tnterests in this connections tt Chicago Mx, Cannon Explains, “Now, then,* resumed My Cannon, “In view of that that the gentleman refers to in view of the statements which I referred t@ here-Z felt that I wes doing a generous and praiseworthy act in referring to it, and that statement came from my heart, inspired with respect for the gentleman from Iowa, rather than from disrespect or hatred. Judge of my surprise, animated, as I was, to read in the Record a few minutes ago the assault that he committed upon me in my absence, and then he s ‘and if the gentleman says,” while he did not say he did, he says, *he says.’ he referred to me at this goint in promoting this bill he seeks to deiay the construction of the canal, then the gentle- man lied.’ “Yes, continued Mr. Cannon, “ ‘and if the Lord was the devil, then the Lord would be the devil. &c., &c.| I dismiss the whole matter because I think the sober judgment of the gentleman from Iowa when his par- tisanship for this bill has had time to cool, will cause him to take account of stock and see that it was his temper rather than his calm judgment that inspired the attack upon me yesterday and today.” “Mr. Chairman,” said Mr. Hepburn, tak- ing the floor, “to please the gentleman, if it is parliamentary to do it, I will with- draw the ‘and ff, and if, and if.’ " ‘This statement, rade with a great deal of bitterness, created a profound sensation in the House. Mr. Cannon took the floor, and in a voice trembling with emotion, said: “Well, the gentieman having withdrawn, can keep them withdrawn, if he chooses, and pursue that course which his own sense of honor and his own self-respect shall dictate.” The two gentlemen stood facing each other, only separated by half a dozen desks. Before Mr. Hepburn could reply, Mr. Gibson called for the regular order, and Mr. Cannon and Mr. Hepburn took their seats, the House proceeding with the dis- cussion of the bill. Another Scene. Soon after another scene occurred when Mr. Gaines (Tenn.) took exeeption to a personal allusion made to him by Mr. Mann (iL). After reading from the Record Mr. Mann’s uncomplimentary statement, Mr. with great vehemence, declared that the man who had uttered the words was “devoid of common decency, courtesy and gentilit The Illinois member had told him, Mr. Gaines said, that he had come from the south and was a southern man. and he thanked God that he was now 1,500 miles removed from contact with the south. Mr. Mann came down the aisle as Mr. Gaines concluded, and in sarcastic tones id: “Mr. Chairman, if the remarks came from any other member than the gentlemen from Tennessee they would deserve a re- ply, but from him they need no answer.” Mr. Mann turned his back Mr. Gaines ed his right hand menacingly and ex- med, amid the confusion and laughter: want to say that I am responsible for word I sa: After further discussion a vote was taken on the pending amendment, and it was de- feated— to 114. Another amendment, by Mr. Burton, strik- ing out the word “Greytown,” was defeated —I4 to 7S. Mr. Lovering (3 ment limiting the Ca Ss.) offered an amend- avment to Nicaragua and ta Rica to $3,000,000. Mr. Lovering said he had information from authentic sources that Costa Rica end Nicaragua proposed to enforce enormous terms upon the United States. THE SENATE. A discussion of the pension roll was brought about in the Senate this afternoon, and Mr. Gallinger took occasion to refer to the criticism to which he has been sub- jected because of the failure of his com- mittee to report back favorably to the Sen- ate all sorts of proposed pension legislation. Mr. Pettigrew had sent to the clerk’ desk a petition signed by R. G. Dyrenforth, commander-in-chief of the Union Vetera ‘nion, against the proposition to make the ant general of the army a nd commenting stating that the ion legislation, | Congress to save mone that in view of this that, in his tuse of a ere were more than fifty general pn bills before his committee, and if they were enacted into law they that would take out of the treasury many mii- liens of dollars : ng roundly abused all over this aid Mr. Gallinger, “because of representations being sent out from some seurce stating in effect that Lam opposed to granting p. s to soldiers uf the United Stat He referred to a bill that had been lat introduced in the Senate providing for pen: sions f 1 civil employes of navy yards, arsenals, naval stations, etc. He called the attention of senators to this matter, and suggested that it would be much better if would pigeonhole some of the bills that are sent them instead of introducing them in Congress, and having them come before his commi He said that in his judgment all the criticisms that have been made of late in regard to the pension policy of the government were extremely unjust, and that, in his opinion, $140,000,000 that is being paid out to pensioners is all that the government ought to be expected to pay under existing conditio; Mr. Sewell (N.J.) asked, at the close of siness, le routine bi to the cons the Frederic! that the Senate procced ation of a bill to establish sburg and adjacent national battlefields memorial park in Virginia. Mr. Chandler, chairman of the committee on privileges and elections, asked that the ehair Ia before the Senate resolution number 284, relating to the unse ting of Mr. Clark (Mont.). thair (Mr. Frye). recognized the “The chair has al- senator from New Mr. Chandler—“This is a question of the highest privilege, and I ask that it be lald before the Senate. It probably will not oc- cupy much time today.” The chair—‘The senator from New Hamp- shire moves that the Senate proceed to the c sideration of the following resolution-—" Mr. Chandler—“I do not move to take up the resolution. I ask the chatr to lay it be- fore the Si The chair— (sharply). Mr. Chandler dropped back into his seat. He did not sa nother word, but showed seme perturbation. After Mr. Sewell’s bill had been reported to the Senat Mr. Frye, evidently noting Mr. Chandler's feeling, said: “It is proper for the chair to say he holds that it will require a motion to take the Montana reso- lution from the calendar." ‘The chair will not do it,” Fredericksburg National Park. Mr. Sewell’s bill to establish a memorial national park on the Fredericksburg battle- field in Virginia was then passed. The bill has for its chief purpose the preservation and suitable marking for his- torical and professional military study the famous battlefields in Spottsylvania county, a, known as Fredericksburg, Salem Cburch, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Spott: nia Court House, ail of them within a radius of eight miles, and on which limited territory the late distin- guished Union general John C. Newton, after careful investigation, declared that More great battles were fought, more men ngaged and more execution done than on other spot of similar area in the world. Adulteration of Food. In accordance with previous notice, Mr. Mason (lll.) then addressed the Senate in support of his proposition to enact legis- lation to prevent the adulteration of food. ————~++—____ Law Applies to All. The attorney for the District has advised the Commissioners that in his opinion con- veyances of all kinds engaged in the trans- portation of passengers for public hire here, irrespective of the motive power used, aré within the law and regulations applicable to vehicles for public hire. He, therefore, holds that it is not necessary for the Com- missioners to promulgate new regulations and make them specially applicable to au- tomobiles and other horseless vehicles, in order to compel the owners thereof to take out the required license. It is understood this decision of their legal adviser will be approved by the Com- missioners, and that they will require such horseless vehicles to not only licensed when engaged for public hire, but also to carry and display the usual’ rate cards. ————— Something We Have Escaped, From the Indianapolis News, A fallen trolley wire killed a horse - lest that the overhead wite is'a serirad eee e over! wire is a seri sone, “A lous Menace, load of peopl from position, The trolley po. flying mendous force, ser of ite es the wires wi There is the wires. Safety can not be insured with overhead wires,- must eventually ga under te may be & man or & wagon- DISTRICT HEARINGS Subjects Considered by the House Committee Today, ee THE REGISTER OF WILLS’ OFFICE Its Abolition Urged by Messrs. Worthington and Perry. —— THE CODE OF LAWS The House committee on the Disirict of Columbia held a very lively session this morning, commencing soon after 10 o'clock, with Chairman Babcock presiding. A hearing was given by the committee on the bill to annul the subdivision known‘as Pencote Heights. Dr. C. M. Emmons, representing the Con- gress Heights Citizens’ Association, pro- tested against the bill. He said that Pen- cote Heights and Wilson Park were one and the same thing, although Pencote Heights comprised thirty-five acres and Wilson Park seventy acres. His objection to the bill to annul the subdivision of Pen- cote Heights was that his property and the property of others would be injured by wiping out the subdivision. He said the ground is not needed for the asylum. He said the Commissioners in recommending the bill did not expect the subdivision would be destroyed, but that a new subdivision would be made. If this park is wiped off the plat, Dr. Emmons said, the District would lose the streets and the citizens of the vicinity would suffer injury. Mrs. Eaton, who is a property owner in that section, followed in a protest against the bill, making much the same argument as Dr. Emmons. She said the property owners were plain people, with no power, and that they were being opposed by influ- ential interests. Mr. V. M. Tucker sald that property own- ers purchased their property with the un- derstanding that it was contiguous to a subdivision which would be improved and add to the value of their holdings. If this subdivision is annuled their property will be damaged. Flour Inspection BIL, This closed the hearing upon this subject, and the committee took up Senate bill 1448, known as the flour inspection bill. Mr. Chas. Schneider opposed the bill. He said that a law was pessed in December, ists, for the Inspection of flour in the Dis- trict. This law, he said, is not a protec- tion to the consumer of flour, but, on the contrary, it gives a license to defraud the publi Mr. Jenkins said the committee not considering the present iaw, but only the ding bill, which proposes to inspect flour he sack as well as in the barrel. Well, I only want to say that the whole tion is a frauc id Mr. Schneider. id, he did not want it extended. Mr. L. S. Tyler said that bills are often rendered for inspections which are not made. He said it would be impossible to iuspe th small sack. He dealers, after the first inspection, blend the flour and impose on the public. ral members of the committee su; sted that the Nour inspection law was ot under consideration. If the law was . let the flour dealers draw up Mendment to cure the evils of which being abu: an the committee (S. 4048) That section 6 of the act, entitled ‘An act regulating the inspection of flour in the District of Columbi »proved Decem- y ot, be amended by striking out : of said section and inserting thereof t following: “*And no barrel, half barrel or sack of flour not examined and branded by the in- Spector as aforesaid shall be sold within the District under fine of $1 for each and every barrel, half barrel or sack, to be collected as other fines and penalties are collected.” Mr. J. A. Weiman said that one of his customers “uses a carload of flour each month. The inspector wanted to be paid for Inspecting the whole car, but did not propose to inspect each barrel. Chairman Babcock said that the flour hould get together and draw up a cover the whole case, and the com- mittee woula consider it, Mr. Schneider said the present law oper- ates to give two or three flour dealers a monopoly of the whole business. New Code of Lawn. Mr. A. S. Worthington and Mr. R. Ross Perry appeared before the committee in connection with the committee amendment to the new code, which strikes out the sec- tion abolishing the office of register of wills. He said the Bar Assoctation of the District had desired for years the abolishing of the office, and all the judges wanted the same action. Mr. Worthington said that the only per- son who wants the offic e maintained is the recently appointed register of wills. Mr. Worthington said he had recently received an anonymous printed communication which was a cowardly attack on the judges of the courts and on Mr. McGII, the former register of wills. Mr. Worthington said that when the code Was prepared and the section was put in abolishing the office of register of wills, the committee having the code in hand gave a hearing to the register of wills. After- ward the committee unanimously decided to retain the section, abolishing the office. He said that the Bar Association commit- tee was very much surprised when it found that the District committee had stricken out the provision. Chairman Babcock's Statement. At this point Chairman Babcock inter- rupted to y that the District committee desired to have the code passed. He for » would refuse to vote for the code if ade any change in the salary or status of office holders, because he realized that as soon as this was undertaken there would be trouble. Mr. R. Ro: Perry explained to the law- yers on the committee the practice in the Tegister of wills’ office. Mr. Perry said that those who prepared this code, trying to give the capital of the nation at the end of this century the best law to be ob- tain did not suppose that personal influ- ence could affect any part of it. They did not suppose that u_ subordinate official could by personal influence change legisla- tion in the code. hairman Babcock said that the remark was an insult to the eommittee. The com- mittee had acted in {ts best judgment. Mr. Perry disclaimed any intention to af- front the committee. Mr. Perry, continu- ing, explained the technical legal ‘anomalies of the present state, and which, he said, induced the framers ‘of the code to recom- mend the change. What Mr. Jenkins Said. Mr. Jenkins of the committee said no one had approached him on the subject. When he realized that a movement would be made on the floor of the House to abolish two justices of the Supreme Court, and, finally, when it was announced thatthe code, a3 framed, could not get through the Senate, he agreed with Mr. Babcock that no changes should be made in offices. agreed Several members of the committee with Mr. Jenkins in his explanation of the course of the committee's action. Mr. Perry said that the only objection to the code seems to be the personal consid- eration of one office holder, which is likely to affect legislation on the code. Chairman Babcock sald he was very anxious to pass some kind of a code, and he did not want to load up the code with any proposition which would defeat it. Mr. Simms of Tennessee wanted to know if there was any man who would defeat the bill to keep @ man in office. Mr. Babcock said he thought members in ae ep who would oppose the bill on persor consideration, Mr, Simms said that if there were such men the fact ought to be known. Chairman Babcock said that the code was 80 ponderous and would require so much time to consider, it would practically re- uire unanimity of actton to get it through. That, he said, was a practical fact to be considered, The hour of 12 o'clock arriving, the hear- er tas SoS ane comes » ie e comm: executive session, No action ee Se of the subjects consi¢ered at the ‘The committee favorabl: He bill 10740, to regulate the grade “of Sues MISSION-OF PEACE Boer Commissioners Start on Their Trip to This Country, FISCHER OUTLINES THEIR - AIMS Hope to Get This Country to Stop ® the: War. HAGUE CONFERENCE BASIS ae THE HAGUE, May 2.—After farewell visits to Ministers Pierson and De Beaufort, the Boer delegates started this afternoon for Rotterdam on their way to the United States. A great crowd at the station bid them farewell. Floral tributes reached the delegates from all parts of the country. A committee of the South African Union pre- sented the delegates with a silver palm as an emblem of peace. Hymns were sung by the school children gathered at the sta- tion, and Messrs. Fischer and Wolmerans made short speeches thanking the populace for the kindly reception extended to them by “a people united to them by bonds of race and religion.” |_ ‘The delegates, who will sail tomorrow, in Tesponse to the request of a reprentative of the Associated Press for a final statement regarding what they hoped to accomplish in America and as to how the refusal of Secretary Hay to receive them at Wash- ington officially would affect their mission, Mr. Fischer made the following statement: Object of Their Visit. “Briefly, the object of our visit to the United States is to appeal to the govern- ment and people to seek the re-establish- ment of peace. We have, thus far, only visited Holland, because the people are of our race, and we wish to see the resolution adopted at the peace conference applied in our case. We have reasons to believe that we shall not lack support here if an occa- sion favoranle to the re-establishment of peace arises. “Here we Wave only consulted friends and obtained information. We think we shall do well to go now to the United States, a sister republic, where the people had the same struggle @ century ago which our people are now having. We are going to the home of a*free people. The United States are free and great above all in love of liberty and justice. We are going with the object to rectify erroneous opinions and to make the trith known. Our enemies say much which they cannot prove and have thus led many into error. “We are convinced that if the truth is known no civilised nation will refuse to support us. The principal charge is that we have desired and sought the war. We will try to demonsirate the falseness of this. We only desire peace and the tran- quil possession of What is as dear to_us it is to the American people—our indepen- dence without injuring the rights of other peoples. : “We do not make appeal to one or the other of the American parties, but to the American people asta whole, hoping that all parties wi unite on this common p form, as the grandeur of the Ameri ple will be fusther increased if the little nation in itg,;combat for its rights and liberty. : Want to Stop Bloodshed. “Our object is to.end this cruel outpour- ing of the blood of all combatants, espe- cially that of our kindred in the Free State, who are indispensable to our ex- istence as a nation, We hope this appeal to ihe government and people of the United States will not be in-vain, and that our way of carrying on the war has demonstrated that we have the right to demand an in- dependent existence for our people and country in South Africa.” Replying to,a question as to the condi- tions which Would now satisfy the: two re- publics, Mr. Fischer said he could not add anything to the foregoing declaration. Concerning the Washington dispatches saying the United States government would not receive the deputation officially, Mr. Fischer safd: “We know absolutely nothing. We have seen it in the papers, but we can say noth- ing more.” While Mr. Fischer was speaking Mr. Wes- sels listened very attentively, but confined himself to a few words of indorsement. ——_+~+-____ NOT DISTURBING TO OFFICIALS. Secretary Gage’s Views of the Gold Exports. The reported engagement of gold at New York for export 1s not in the least dis- turbing to the treasury officials. Secretary Gage said today that gold exports at this season of the year were quite usual, but he had no definite idea of the amount that might be shipped at this time. He was confident that the total would not approach the sum of gold which the treasury could spare without the least difficulty. At present the free gold in the treasury vaults amounts to about $52,500,000. This could all be taken befure the $15,000,000 re- serve fund would be disturbed. ‘The Sec- retary has not thought that the shipments would reach that amount or even approxi- mate it. The shipment of gold at this time, he sald, was easily explained. Money was being loaned in New York as low as 2\ to % per cent, while in London it was worth 4 per cent. The tendency of the gold movement necessarily would be toward the best mar- ket. ———_-e+_____ A ROPE OF WoRMS. Curious Procession Scen in Norway Forests. From Pearson's Weekly. In the deep pine forests of Norway the woodcutters sometimes find a serpentine object, fifty feet long, crawling slowly over the ground. If they did not know that it was made up of millions of little worms, they might be frightened by its peculiar ap- pearance. These worms, called the sciara, gather during July and August in large numbers, preparatory to migrating in search of food or for change of condition. When setting out on this journey, they stick themselves together and form a huge serpentlike mass, often reaching a length of between forty and fifty feet and several inches in thick- ness. As the sciara is only on an average about three thirty-seconds of an inch in length, and barely wider than a fine needle, the number required to compose a line of the size above mentioned is enormous. Their pace.4s very slow, and upon meet- ing an obstacle, such as ‘a stick or stone, they will either wstthe over or around it, sometimes breaking into bodies for this purpose. E A celebrated naturalist says that, if the rear portionvof this wonderful snake-like procession be braught into contact with the front part and a sort of circle formed, the insects will keep moving round and round in that cirele for hours and hours without apparently: noticing that they are rae wet tine ae Fas ona journey. If the pro- cession raken in two, the portions will reunite ini a short. thme. The Norwegian peasants, when they meet one of these train& will lay some article of their clotping, such as a belt or hand- kerchief, onthe ground in front of it. If the pi nm passes over it, it is re- garded as a good sign: but if it goes round the obstacle the reverse is believed. —_+o+____ The Ladder Superstition, From the Baltimore News, “Just to show you what euperstition a great majority of people have,” said the proprietor of a large shoe store on Balti- more street a few days ago, “look at that ladder in front of my place, The base of it ig out to the curb, and yet people will as reported at the annual meeting, pos- sesses 16,195 horses with which igio* wi work LESS WORK, MORE PAY THOUSANDS OF WORKMEN STRIVE FOR BETTER WAGES. Conference Between Men and Officials of New York Central—General Strike Situation. BUFFALO, N. Y., May 2—A. M. Waitt, superintendent of motive power of the New York Central railway, and Commissioner Webster of the state board of arbitration met at 10 o'clock to arrange a conference with regard to the strike of railway em- Ployes. A telephonic message was sent to strike headquarters notifying the execu- tive committee that the gentlemen named were ready *o confer. Mr. Waitt was ac- companied to the place of meeting by Di- vision Superintendent Bradfield and Super- intendent McBeth of the Central shops. Interviewed during the period of waiting for the executive committee, Superintend- ent Waitt said, in substance, that he had come to discuss the situation, but that the company had no demand for the reinstate- ment of the discharged men and that the other demands had been answered in the Ra eene given out in New York on Mon- day. ‘Asked if he would have to consult with is superiors before effecting a settlement, if a satisfactory adjustment could be reach- ed at the meeting, Mr. Waitt replied: “Not necessarily.” Strike Representatives Arrive. The representatives of the strikers, head- ed by Chairman Fish of the executive com- mittee, and consisting of five representa- tives each from the machinists, car repair- ets and yardmen, arrived at the hotel at 11 o'clock, and soon after went into a pri- vate conference with Superlutendent Waitt and Commissioner Webster. The latter said the conference would last two hours or longer. Commissioner Delehanty telephoned from Albany that he would come to Buffalo if necessary. President Cordell of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen in speaking of yester- day's meeting said it was a regular and not a special meeting. Continuing, he said: “Any report of contemplated action by us is premature. We have not been ap- proached in the matter, and will remain at work until action is necessary. We are not involved in the present controversy in any way and do not want to be identified with it, through the papers, until there is some fact ar facts to state.” NEW YORK, May 2.—Pending the re- celpt of advices from Superintendent Waitt as to the result of that officer's conference with the committee of strikers in Buffalo, the officials at the Grand Central station in this city say that the situation remains un- changed. President Callaway said he ex- pected to hear from Superintendent Waitt later in the day. Commissioner Francis B. Delehanty of the state board of arbitration and mediation left the city last night for Albany. He will 0 to Binghamton from there and will go to Buffalo if his presence is néeded. Brewery Engineers Out. BOSTON, Ma strike of the brewery engineers in Boston and vicinity in support of a demand for shorter hours and an in- crease in wages was begun soon after mid- night. The action followed a conference be- tween a committee from the Central Labor Union, which has charge of the engineers’ demand, and members of the Master Brew- ers’ Association, at which the most the brewers would do was to agree to refer the matter to the state board of arbitration. The engineers in every brewery have been called out. The night men were the first to receive notice to stop. The men claim they have the best of the situation, saying that if the master brewers attempt to fill the places of their engineers with non-union men every union man in the breweries will be called out. Such action would cause a strike between 2,500 and 3,000 men. 600 Smelters on Strike. NEW YORK, May 2.—The day shift of the Oxford copper smelting works, 600 men, at Constable Hook, N. J., refused to go to work today. They are striking for a nine- hour day instead of ten hours. Two hundred of the 700 night men say they will remain away tonight and join the day men. Street Car Men Quit at Little Rock. LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 2.—All the motormen and conductors on the Little Rock street car system struck this morn- ing. The principal demands of the strikers are the reinstatement of five men discharg- ed by the company and an increase in wages. Up to 8 o'clock there were only five cars in operation over the twenty- eight miles of track. The strikers are quiet and there ts no in- dication of trouble. Chicago Dollermakers Go Out. CHICAGO, May 2.—Boiler makers to the number of 350 have gone out on a strike, thus completely tying up the twenty-two shops in which they had been employed. The trouble was precipitated by a report that a number of the union shops were lending assistance to six boiler manufactur- ers who have been fighting the union for months. To ascertain to what extent this report was true, Business Agents Sullivan and Shanahan called the strike. Bakers Are Dissatisfied. CHICAGO, May 2.—A strike of union bakers, which may tie up the small baker- ies in the city, is threatened unless the em- ployers grant their demand for less hours and higher wages. It is said that such a strike would involve 7,000 bakers. A meet- ing of the union men to take action on the proposition of going out has been called for Saturday. Memphis Molders Out. MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 2.—Five hundred iron molders, employed in different found- ries In this city, struck yesterday. Racine Carpenters Strike. RACINE, Wis., May 2—Two hundred carpenters struck yesterday and fifty hod carriers and masons also went out. All building has been suspended in this city. The carpenters’ union demands an eight- hour day, double pay for overtime, Sundays and holidays, 30 cents per hour and the employment of union men only, ——_++<+___ COL. WM. A. COOK INSANE, District Commissioners Ask His Ad- mission to St. Elizabeth’s. The superintendent of St. Elizabeth's In- sane Asylumn was this afternoon requested by the District Commissioners to admit to said institution as a patient William A. Cook, who, they state, has been found by Drs. H. C. Duffey and Charles K. Koones to be of unsound mind. The unfortunate man will be remembered by many people of the District as Col. Wm A. Cook, at one time a prominent member of the Dis- trict bar, and one who ten or fifteen years ago was considered by many as the best criminal lawyer then practicing be- fore the courts of the District. For the past several years {ll health and his ad- eee es ee ee ion and he is now said to be in an extremay feeeble condition, with the probability that he will not long survive. ——— ARGUMENTS IN PROGRESS, Effort Before Court of Appeals in Frank Funk’s Case. ‘The entire session of the Court of Ap- Peals today was occupied with the argu- ments in the case of Frank W. Funk, con- victed of the murder of William H. Brooks, nd under sentence to be hanged the 9th instant. Attorney D, W. Baker concluded his argument this morning. He was fol- lowe@ by United States Attorney Ander- son, who spoke until 1:45 o'clock. Attorney Alexander Wolf, in behalf of Funk, then began the closing argument of the case. He will conclude tomorrow morning when thte court will take the matter under visement. a church with the main body. a general morning session of the entire con- ference every day except on Sundays. The has had a curious experience. On one 2 per cents, per cents, 8 per cents, 15 Se ie ee Kew sa we WILL ADMIT LAYMEN|FINANCE AND TRADE Important Action Taken by Meth- odist Conference in Chicago. BIG CROWD AT THE AUDITORIUM Bishop Bowman Declared the Open- ing of the Conference. BISHOP MERRILL PRESIDES peed CHICAGO, Ill, May 2—By a unani- mous vote today the delegates to the Methodist general conference de- cided to give equal lay representation in all Methodist conferences. The announcement of the vote was greeted with cheers, as it was a victory which had been fought for for a hundred years. A fight was expected over the matter, but it did not materialize. The matter was introduced by Rev. J. M. Buckley of the central New York conference. He moved the adoption of the rules of the last general conference with the exception of 1 and 18. This wes carried almost unani- mously, and Dr. Buckley asked the vote on the Rock River proposition. The proposition made at the Rock River conference was for equal lay representa- tion in all Methodist conferences, annual and general. The proposition was read and the unanimous approval followed. The book of discipline in reference to represen- tation at conferences was changed to read accordingly. Dr. David S. Monroe of the central Penn- sylvania conference was elected secretary of the general conference by acclamation. He called the roll of districts and delegates in alphabetical order. The vote which provided for equal lay representation was taken and the fight for the seating of the 141 provisional delegates begun. Their cause was relieved of an em- barrassment by the withdrawal of all of rights to a seat by Mrs. M. Y. Mahan of Griggsville, Ill. In her com- munication she said she believed that by withdrawing she would aid the provisionals in securing seats. The twenty-ninth general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church—the twen- ty-third of the delegated congresses—began here this morning. It will last a month, and is expected to be the most important of any conference since the memorable one of 1844, when the southern branch of the church severed relations with the main body over the slavery question. The pit of the Auditorium Theater was filled with delegates from north and south and east and west—Warne and Smith from India, bronzed by the sun of the equator; Hagan and Camphor from Liberia, and in- numerable others, representing Methodism in all parts of the world. Further back ! the big hall where the conference is to be held were the spectators and the provisional delegates whose fight for admission to conference is expected to occupy the firs days of the meeting. Opened by Bishop Bowman. The peals of the great pipe organ were still echoing when a venerable white-haired man, Bishop Thomas Bowman, arose to de- clare the conference opencd. Behind Bishop Bowman were the other bishops in the places of honor on the stage, facing the audience. They, in common with the remainder of the assemblage, became silent as the veteran bishop raised his hand. In a few words he called attention to the importance of the conferences, counseled conservatism and the gravest consideration of matters which would be brought up, ai.d then declared the conference open. Bishop H. W. Warren, following Bishop Bowman, announced the first hymn, which was sung with vigorous enthusiasm by the great audience. The Apostles’ Creed, led by Bishop J. M. Thoburn of India, was recited by the audience, and then Bishop C. D. Foss de- livered a prayer. This was followed by the reading of Psalm 46 by Rev. H. H. Lowry, D.D., of the north China conference. The “Gloria” was then chanted, the second Scripture lesson from the first chapter of Acts, first to fourteenth paragraphs, read by Rev. Austin Griffin of the Wyoming conference, and another hymn announced by Rev. Harry Swan of the west Texas conference. A prayer by Rev. H. A. Gobin of the northwest Indiana conference followed, and was succeeded by another hymn, announced by Rev. Jacob Yunkers of the north Ger- many conference. Bishop Merrill Presides. As the last note of the hymn died away Bishop S. M. Merrill took the chair, the first move made in the business of the con- ference. Grave questions confront the gathering. The lay delegates demand vote for vote with the clerical representatives and there are 141 provisional lay delegates awaiting action by the conference. A de- termined effort will be made to raise the ban on dancing, card playing and theater going, and arguments advanced for the consecration of bishops of limited jurisdic- tion, the dropping of time limit on pastor- ates, and the referring of the election of the conference editors, secretaries and book agents to the committees governing the different societies. It is also expected that at Jeast s6me steps may be taken looking to the reuniting of the south branch of the There will be fourteen standing committees, whose func- tions are analogous to those of congress- tonal committees, meet three times a week, seven each day, and report to the general conference such resolutions as are deemed worthy of general discussion and action. Of the 750 delegates entitled to seats the greater number were present this morning. ——_~+<-___ What of the Druggists? From the New York Tribune. A woman in Trenton. N. J., confesses that she has been in the habit of putting lauda- num into her husband's beer in order to make him sleep, and thus to save her from the beating he would otherwise be sure to inflict upon her. Some of her neighbors corroborate her story and admit that they do the same thing, while their neighbor- hood druggist says he has been doing a rushing trade in laudanum for that purpose. ‘The Woman's act was dangerous if not felontous, and is sternly to be condemned. Yet it is difficult not to feel much sym- pathy with her, as the judge seems to have done when he let her go and her drunken brute of a husba! up. But what of the druggist who sold the laudanum, knowing for what purpose it was to be used? His case seems to be of all most worthy of judicial consideration. red that be locked What Good Friends They Must Be. From the New York Tribune. The positive statement is put forth that the Panama Canal Company has never maintained a lobby at Washington nor done any such wicked thing for pushing its own interests and hampering the Nic- aragua project. In that case we must be- Meve that it has a considerable number of friends who, doubtless with the most un- selfish motives, have busied themselves in its behalf and in opposition to its rival. and the same day he celebrated his eightieth iarenaay, Tayo ee silver ding o! ughter and marriage of his granddaughter. Shorts Forced Sugar Up a Few Points Today. GENERAL LIS? WAS VERY HEAVY Al! the Arguments Were Favorable to the Bears. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, May 2.—The uncertainties of the strike situation and the engagement of $2.600,000 gold for export were disturb- ing factors in today's price movement. London did nothing and commission ness fell off to small proportions. Profes- sional cliques sold the railroad shares for fractional profits and new pressure ap- peared in the steel issues. The selling rep- resented only a very moderate amount of real liquidation, but it served to discourage the street and almost eliminate the outside demand. During the early morning a sharp advan, of 8 per cent in Long Island Traction, due to {ts proposed c York Central, was a w $e 'kno- notony of inconsequential fluctuationsin the general list. The stock has never been suf- ficiently prominent to influence its neigh bors, however, and other traction shares were barely ste The stock which did of the general market American Sugar, an advance in those shares of about 3 per cent serving to prevent a too free selling of the railway list. Recent sellers were the most iiberal buy- ers of Sugar, and the denials of any action looking to a settlement of the trade wart failed to convince a certain influential fol- lowing. Whatever the motive for the ad- vance, the fact that Sugar stock was al- most bueyant in the face of an otherwise Seclining market saved the market a con- siderable decline. A falling off in tonnage fn certain sections of the country is reported, and for this son the granger issues are disposed to react because most likely to feel the effects of a decreased grain movement. Such a shrink- age as has been reported would cause less concern were it not accompanied by the restlessness of labor in various parts of the country. How far such events will lead ts an unknown factor and very naturally tends to heighten the caution of the con- servative element, In almost every hanking circle there is confidence expressed in the future of the stock market, but it is accompanied with the prediction that patience will be required on the part of present buyers. Earnings reported during the day were ost for the support encouraging, a gain of $2i0.812 In Union Pacific's net for March being the most noteworthy. The encouraging features of the market over because of the listlessness of the larger interests. Fears of what may happen are temporarily more patent than the tangible record of the present, ee FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. New York Stock Market. Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., bankers and brokers, 1419 F st., members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. La- denburg, Thalmann & Co., New York. Bigh. 6 American Cotton Of. ALS. Wire. Am. Steel & Wire pfd__. American Sugar... .. American Tobacco. Atchison, Atchison, pfd. Baltimore & Ohio. Baltimore & Ohio. pid BrooklynRavid Transit. Chesapeake & Ohio. c.,C. & St. Louis. ~ 3 3. Western. Colorado Fuel and Consolidated Gas... Con. Tobacec......... illinois Centra: my Louisvilie & Nashvilie__ Metropolitsn Traction._ Manhattan Elevated. Missouri Pacitie. M.. K.& T., pid *Pennsylvania B. R Phils.& Reading, ist Southern Pacific. Washington Stock Exchange. Sa lar call, 12 o'clock m.—Oupital ‘Trac- tion 48, $1,000 at 10615, $1,000 st 106%. $1,000 at 1064, $1,000 at 106%. People’s Fire Insurance, 8 at 6%. Meal Estate Title Insurance, 10 at S243. Capl- tal Trac. scrip, $45 at 106, $75 at 1004,, $108 at 10 $163 at 106%. ital Tras 20 at ‘10s Jo at 191%, 1 Lanston Movotype, 5 12%, 100 at 12%, iov at 12%, can Graphopbone, 10 at 1244, 20 st 12i¢. “Ame Grapnophoue preferred, 10" at 13%4, 100 at Pneumatic Gun Carriage, 100 at 21 cents, 21 cents. After call—American Graphophone, 1 12%, 20 ‘at 12%. Lanston Monotype, 100 at 12%, 100 at 12%. Capital ‘Traction, 30 at 108%, 20 at lost, 20"at Jody. District of Columbla Bonds.—3.65s, 1924, funding, § 120 bid. ‘Mixcellancous Bonds.—Capltal ‘Traction 4s, 106% Did, 106}, asked. Metropolitan Railtuad Ss, 120 bid, iy asked. Metropolitan Ralirond cert. ind A. lio bid, 115 asked. Metropolitan Railroad indevt., B, 110 bid. Columbia Rallroad 6s, 126 130 asked.’ Columbia Ratlroad 2d mort. 5s, 111 112 asked. Washington Gus series A, 6s, 115 bid! Washington Gas series B, 6s, 115 bid) U.S. Eh trie Light ded. imp. 6s, x10 bid, 110 asked. U. 5 Electric Light cert. indebt.. 6s, 105 bid, 110 asked. Chesapeake and Potomac Pelephone con, 5s, 108% Did, 105% asked. Amerlean Security and Trust 4s, 100 bid." Masonic Hall Association Ss, 108 bid. American Graphophone deb. 5s, bid. ‘National Bunk Stocks.—Pauk of Wasijington, 360 bid. Metropolitan, 620. bid, asked. Central, 200 bid. Farmers apd Mechanics’, 210 bid. Second, 190 bid. Citizens’, 160 bid, 180 ‘asked. Columbia, 161 Wid. Capital, 150 bid, 160 asked.” West End, 118 bid, 120 asked. Traders’, 125 bid, 135 asked: Lincoln, 115 vid, 124 asked. Safe Deposit and Trust ¢ Deposit and Trust, 130 bid, 1: Loan and Trust, 157 bid; 161 asked. “American Se- curity and ‘Trusi, 190 Insurance Stocks. -Firemen’s, 30 bid. Franklin, 40 bid. Metropolitan, 80 bid! Corcoran, 62 bid: Potomac, 75 bid, 80 asked. Arlington, x14. bh 20 at 104, 20 at 104, . 20 at 104, 20 at Toa, Mergenthaler Linotyp 40 at 1% 13, 100 at 100 at 156 asked. German-American, 210 bid. Nat tntone 12 bid, 2 == oe yee a, oe, me ‘asked. Commercial, 3% bid, 4% asked. “Colo 6% nial, 110% bid. ‘Title Insurance Stocks.—Real Estate Title, 82% bid. ‘Columbia Title, 4% bid, 5 asked. Washington Title, Teed #% asked. District Title, 34 bid, 3% ask Stockx.—Capital ‘Traction, 104 bid, 108% asked. ital Traction scrip, 106 bid, 106% asked. and Sebsrban, 2 bid. Georgetown and Ten- town, 15 bid. at — Wa jon Gas, 54 bid, 5a asked. Gas Biocks.—Washlngton Gas,