Evening Star Newspaper, January 6, 1903, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY. Business (fice, 11th Street and Penaaylvania Avenus. ‘The Evening Star Nowspaper Company. 8. H. KAUFFMANN, President. New York Office: Tribune Building. Obiesgo Ofice: Tribune Building. tar Is served to subscribers In the The Evening elty by carrlers, on thelr own account, at 10 centt per week, or 44 cents per month. Coples at the counter, 2 cengs each mail—anywhere tm the U.S. orCanada—postax aid—50 cents per month, babies Sta ~ Po $1 per year; with for e tage a x (Butered att st Office at Washington, D. C.. as second: s8 mail matter.) ‘All ma scriptions must be pald in advancy Rites of advertising made Known on applteatior Che £ve No. 15,558. a Star. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, JANUMRY 6, 1903—TWENTY PAGES. TWO CENTS. Wanted— The name of an article of general consumption that cannot be advertised suc- cessfully in The Star. Address “Advertising,” Star office. FOUR PERISH IN FIRE Mother, Two Daughters and a Young Woman. BLAZE IN A HOTEL ELEVATOR MAN SAVES MOST OF THE GUESTS. Somerset House, in Chicago, Scene of the’ Disaster—Porter Under Arrest. AGO, Januar: —Three persons lost their lives and a fourth was fatally injured in a fire at the Hotel Somerset, an elght- story brick structure at Wabash avenue 12th street, early today. Three of the vic- tims, M T. Perry, aged thirty-five, and her two daughters, eight and nine years old, respectively, were burned or suffucated to CHIC death in their room on the fourth floor. The fourth victim, a woman whose name has not been learned, jumped from the window of a room on the same floor to the street and fatally hurt. William A. Parker, a guest, jumped from the window of a room on the fourth floor to the roof of a two-story building adjoin- ing the hotel. He sustained a broken ankle and severe bruises. The financial loss was about $2,000. Arrest of the Porter. A short time after it was discovered that lives had been lost William Clemons, a porter, was arrested. The police explain that from what could be learned from pante-stricken guests the fire originated mysteriously. Clemons was awake, it 1s said, at the time, and the police will hold him until the fire has been investigated. There were about 100 guests in the hotel at the time. From admissions made by Clemons it is believed that he caused the fire by accident- ally Igniting his bedclothes while smoking a cigarette. The fourth victim, believed to be Miss Ethel Saunders, 2535 5 Indiana avenue, died in the ambulance on her way to the hos- pital. She is said to have been the niece of Mrs. Perry The injured T. W. Parker, Jumped from window to ad- §oining building two stories below; inter- nally injured. Emile Sancacz, cut by broken glass. C. A. Wrightman, badly cut about face and hands. William Pears, elevator boy, affected by smoke and cut by flying glass. It is thought that Mrs. Perry first be- came aware of the fire and aroused her daughters. The latter, however, appear to have been quickly overcome, both having been found on their beds, while the body of Mrs. Perry lay on the floor near the win- dow. Elevator Man’s Presence of Mind. The elevator conductor ran his car to the top floor, shouting a warning and carrying many of the guests from the building. Although the woman and her daughters who perished in the fire were registered at and known about the hotel under the name of Perry, Edward Saunders, a coachman employed on the Sou... Side, declared them to be his wife and daughters, and gave the names of the children as Rita and Marte. It was learned, however, that Saunders was known in Toronto as Perry and as- sumed the former name when he came to Chicago. ‘The young woman who died in the ambu- lance and who was partially identified as Ethel Saunders, is now believed to be an- Other daughter of Mrs. Perry. —_++- : BURNED IN VAPOR ACCIDENT. Miss Evelyn Burden Meets With Se- vere Accident. NEW YORK, January 6.—Miss Evelyn Burden, a daughter of I. Townsend Burden, Was seriously burned in a fire at the fami- ly residence in East 26th street, Madison square, today. She as taking a vapor bath. In some way the lamp upset and Miss Burden was severely burned about the She was carried Into the residence Iselin ni aS se- cue Miss in a cab and taken verely burned while trying to ri Burden and was place¢ to a hospital. Members of a hook and ladder company raised a ladder in front of the house and two maids who were on the upper floor were carried down. Several messenger boys from a nearby messenger office rushed to the house and gave timely assistance during the first moments of the fire. house, a four-story brow wi onsiderably damaged. —+-+<__ DEATH OF GEN. A. L. PEARSON. The stone mansion, Veteran of the Civil War and Promi- nent in U. V. L. PITTSBURG, Pa., January 6.—Gen. AL. Pearson, past national commander of the Union Veteran Legion, nd one of the founders of that organization, died today of pneumo: At the close of the civil war Gen. Pearson was brevetted major general for bray ry, and later was awarded a medal of honor by Congress. During the railroad riots of 1877 he was in command of the National Guard in this city. At the time of his death he was a member of a board of managers of the na- tional homes for disabled soldiers. —>+-—___ ENGLAND MAKES PROTEST Against Turkey Allowing Russian De- stroyers Through Dardanelles. CONSTANTINOPLE, January 6—Great Britain has vigorously protested to the , Turkish government against the permis- sion granted in September last to four un- armed Russian torpedo-boat destroyers to pass through the Dardanelles into the Black sea, under the commercial flag of Russia. ‘These vessels were about to start on the proposed trip. The British note says the passage of the Dardanelles by the torpedo- boat de vers would be a violation of the existing International treaties, and that if Russian warships are thus allowed to use the Dardanelles Great Britain will reserve the right to demand similar privileges. The protest has caused irritation in Rus- sian circles and concern on the part of the Turkish authorities, who fear that other powers will follow the example of Great Britain. —++-— — ‘Will Command the Wisconsin. Capt. Uriel Sebree, until recently com- mandant of the naval station at Samoa, has been ordered to take command of the battle ship Wisconsin as the relief of Capt. George C. Reiter, who has been placed on walting orders. The Wisconsin is now un- dergoing repairs at the Puget sound navy yard, and is under orders the Asiatic squadron. pe ait BIDS FOR WARSHIPS Opened at the Navy Depart- ment Today. MANY PROPOSALS MADE SHIPBUILDING TRUST SEEMS TO HAVE BEST OF IT. Some Features That Excited Interest— Character of the Vessels to Be Built. Bids for building $9,000,000 worth of war- ships were opened at the Navy Department today in the presence of representatives of nearly every shipbuilding concern of note in the country, together with a host of sub- contractors who supply structural material for the big ships. The bidding was close and exciting, and on the face of the bids it appears that the shipbuilding trust has tue best of the struggle. A feature of the event was the submission of a proposition to sup- ply the enormous horse power required to drive the Tennessee and Washington, the speediest ships of war the United States navy will carry on its lists, with the new turbine motors, the latter to be supplied by an American company. Another feature was the submission of a statement from one of the largest bidders to the effect that they had satisfied themselves that no less than 25,000 horse power would be required to drive the big ships at the calculated speed, thus verifying the estimates of Engi- neer-in-chief Melville, when he took excep- tion to the findings of the majority of the board which designed the ships. The Bids. The bids were as follows: Newport News Shipbuilding Company— One ship in forty-two months on depart- ment's designs for $4,325,000. Fore River Ship and Engine Works of Quincy, Mass.—One ship on department's designs in forty-two months for $4,578,000. Bath Iron Works—One ship in fort: months on department's designs for $4,500,- 000. Union Iron Works of San Francisco—One ship in forty-two months, $4,365,000. New York Ship Building Company of Camden, N. J.—One ship in forty-two months, department's designs, for $4,250,000. Two ships same class for $4,150,000 each, to be delivered in forty and forty-two months. Same company on its own designs provid- ing for twenty-two-knot ships to be de- livered in forty and forty-two months, $4,280,000 each. It was in connection with this bid that the letter was submitted de- manding an allowance of 25,000 horse- wer. Moran Brothers & Co. of Seattle, one ship in forty-two months, for $4,397,000. Wm. Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, one ship on department's designs, thirty-nine months, $4,200,000. Same company on its own designs, ships to be delivered in thirty- six and thirty-nine months, and to be of twenty-two knots speed, one ship for $4.- 100,000, two ships on same plans for $4,000,- 000 each. Same company, on plans of its own providing for the use of steam tur- bines and watertube boilers, $4,100,000 for one and $4,060,000 each for two. ‘The judgment of the board of bureau chiefs will be necessary to determine the awards. Character of the Ships. The two first-class armored cruisers for which the above bids were received were authorized by act of Congress, approved July 1, 1902, the cost of each not to exceed $4,650,000. Forty-two months is allowed for their construction and a minimum speed of twenty-one and a half knots is required. Each cruiser will measure on load water line 502 fect in length and 72 feet 10% inches at extreme breadth. They will have each a trial displacement of not more than 14,500 tons. a total coal bunker capacity of about 2,000 tons and a mean draft at trial displacement of 25 feet. The hull is to be of steel throughout, and the armament will consist of a main bat- tery of four 10-inch breech-loading rifles, sixteen 6-inch breech-loading rifles. twenty- two 3-inch rapid-fire guns and a secondary battery of twelve 3-pounder semi-automatic rapid-fire guns, two 1-pounder automatic guns, two 1-pounder rapid-fire guns, two .30-caliber Gatling guns, six .80-caliber Colt automatic and two 3-inch fleld guns. The hulls of the cruisers will be protected by a water-line belt of armor worked in vertical strakes, amidships, where it will be about eighteen feet in height. The armor will be of uniform thickness of five inches throughout the machinery and magazine space and three inches forward and aft. The protective deck will extend from stern to stern, being flat amidships, but sloping at the sides and at each end. It will be built up of twenty-pound lower plating throughout, with nickel steel forty pounds on the flat and 140 pounds on the slopes. Holsts driven by an electric motor and delivering seven pieces per minute will convey the ammunition for six-inch and smaller guns directly from the ammunition rooms to the deck where it is required. The turret guns will have regular ammunition hoists, operated by electric power, leadifig directly from the handling room to the tur- rets. Ss The new men-of-war will be propelled by vertical twin screw, four-cylinder triple- expansion engines of a combined indicated horse power of not less than 23,000. There will be sixteen Babcock and Wilcox boil- ers of the straight water-tube type on each cruiser, placed in eight water-tight com- partments. These will furnish steam for the main engines and all the necessary auxiliary and other machinery throughout the ship. Each cruiser will be fitted with four funnels, 100 feet high above the base line. ‘The cruisers will be lighted throughout with electricity. With the exception of cer- tain auxiliaries to be operated by steam, all power on board will be electric, including boat cranes, turret-turning motors, ventua- tion-fan motor, ete. Designed as flagships, the new cruisers will each provide accommodation for the following complement: Flag officer, com- manding officer, chief of staff, nineteen | ward room, twelve junior and ten warrant officers, and not less than 814 men, includ- ing sixty marines. . Each cruiser carrles steel masts forward and aft, and the specifications require that they shall be arranged for wireless teleg- raphy. rr ____ WILL BE PROMOTED. Lieut. H. M. Morrow to Be Appointed a Major. First Lieut. Henry M. Morrow of the gn Cavalry, stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco, will be appointed a mafor in the judge advocate general's department on the retirement of Maj. Louis B. Lawton of the 26th Infantry, just promoted on account of gallant service in the Chinese campaign Major Morrow is a graduate of the law de- partment of the University of Michigan, class of 1888, and rendered good service in the Spanish war, first as second leutenant of the 34 Nebraska Infantry and afterward as first Meutenant of the 324 United States Infantry. In February, 1901, he was ap- pointed first Heutenant of the 4th Regular Infantry, and in the following July was transferred to the 9th Cavalry, TO CURB THE TRUSTS Recommendations of Attor- ney General Knox. AT THE WHITE HOUSE] Venezuelan Question Dis- cussed by Cabinet. LEGISLATION ADVISED|CUBAN RECIPROCITY FIRST STEP TO PUNISH DISCRIM- INATORY PRACTICES. Appointment of a Commission to Ex- amine the Whole Question Suggested. The recommendations of Attorney Gen- eral Knox were received by Mr. Little- field’s subcommittee on trusts of the judi- ciary committee of the*House this morn- ing, just as the members of the subcom- mittee were beginning their session. The two hours of the session were given up en- tirely to a discussion of the Knox state- ment. It was in the form of a printed pamphlet of forty-seven pages, the last fif- teen of which were devoted to recommen- dations for legislation. In commenting on the Attorney General’s statements Mr. Littlefield said they were most excellent. The committee, he said, did not have time to get entirely through the report, but devoted most of the time to the recommendations for legislation. Of these, he said, some were new. One sug- gested the appointment of a commission to examine into the whole question. Another was that a penalty should be provided against persons receiving rebates, as well ag against those who gave rebates. Mr. Knox first reviews the cases that have been reviewed by the courts and those now pending. The Recommendations. The recommendations respecting legisla- tion are as follows: a The end desired by the overwhelming ma- jority of the people of all sections of the country {1s that combinations of capital should-be regulated and not destroyed, and that measures should be taken to correct the tendency toward monopolizdtion of the industrial business of the country. I as- sume a thing to be avoided, even by sug- gestion, is legislation regulating the busi- ness interests of the country beyond such as will accomplish this end. In my judgment, a monopoly in any in- dustry would be impossible in this country, where money is abundant and cheap and in the hands or within the reach of keen and capable men, if competition were as- sured of a fair and open field and protected against unfair, artificial and discriminating practices, Two or more persons or corporations can- not by any combination or arrangement be- tween themselves either contract or expend the rights of others to engage in a similar business. The utmost they can do fs to dis- courage the disposition to do so by restrict- ing the opportunities, or by securing to themselves some exclusive facilities or the enjoyment of some common facilities upon exclusive terms. If the law will guarantee to the small Producer protection against plratical meth- ods in competition and keep the highways to the markets open and available to him for the same tolls charged to his powerful competitor he will manage to live and thrive to an astonishing degree. Individualism in production has its ad- vantages as well as combination. Small in- dividual enterprises not uncommonly spring up and thrive within the shadow of the larger ones, though: enjoying none of their supposed advantages of control of sources of raw material, fuel and transportation facilities, yet realizing large profit per ton of output because of the closer economies possible through direct, personal, interested management. Indeed, ‘it is true that the great concerns whose stocks have been gathered in by the holding companies (the real trusts) are themselves largely but ag- gregations of successful smaller oncs, which, one by one, have made their com. petition so severely felt by an ambitious rival that he has absorbed them. I believe the rebates and kindred advan- tages granted by carriers to large opera- tors in the leading industries of the coun- try, as against their competitors, in many years amounted to a sum that would rep- resent fair interest upon the actual money invested in the business of such operators. Effect of Monopoly. If substantially all of a given business 1s controlled by one company, {he more threatening to potential competition does this iniquity become, and with greater timidity does such competition approach the field. In some respects the holding company is weaker than its independent rivals. as much, if not more, for labor. Advantage in the saving of «n intermediate profit upon raw material and fuel is largely offset by the enormous cost of the sources of sup- ply represented in high capitalization. This capitalization, in almost every case of a holding company, represents far more than the aggregate intrinsic value of its cohstituent companies. The method of com- puting values for purpose of concentration has invariably been upon earning power, and rebates have frequently swelled earn- ings so that enormous volumes of capital stock represent nothing but unfair advan- tage obtained over rivals. The situation {s much improved in respect to transportation discriminations within the last two years. This {s the result, first, of a determined effort upon the part of the gov- ernment to apply existing laws in an effec- tive way against discrimination, and, sec- ond, to the fact that some of the higher- minded railroad managers of the country have exerted their large influence in the direction of equitable dealing with the shtp- pers of the territory which they serve. Whether it is a consequence of these influ- ences or a. mere coincidence, it 1s neverthe- less stated on high authority to be a fact that the embarkation of new capital in en- terprises in competition with the supposedly controlled industries within the perjod named probably equals the capital of ihe trusts. The effect of certainty of proiec- tion against predatory competition can‘ be safely prophesied to increase this figure. The country fs filled with men whose lives have been devoted to industry, who hay2 developed and made profitable the prop- erties now possessed by the trusts at prices far in excess of the cost of modernized duplicates, who will not long remain idle when assured that their capital and experi- ence can be securely employed in the busi- ness to which they were trained. Too much has been conceded in public dis- cussion to the trusts"in this respect. Or- ganizations in one state to control produc- tion in other states of commodities con- sumed in all the states are as a rule devices of shrewd men to capitalize for the'r own kenefit the country’s prosperity. They are begotten in prosperous times. Poor times offer no inducements, They are essentially different from the combinations effected by producers, of their own motion, for eco- nomic reasons. Those which have been recklessly conceived contain within them- selves the germ of their own undoing. They have, as a rule, only acquired the owner- ship of the stocks of the industries of the country which had already attained their gigantic stature. Their existence does ‘not increase the productive capacity of the country, except as high prices of products have stimulated competition, nor have they because of their existence increased de- mand. as the demand for products has (Continued on Eighth Page.) It pays BELIEF THAT THE TREATY WILL BE RATIFIED. Australian Educators Introduced— Next Minister to Liberia Will Be From Maryland. The cabinet was in session an hour and a half today, several matters of importance being brought to the attention of the Presi- dent and his advisers. Serious consideration was given to the status of the Venezuelan embroglio. No answer yet has been returned by the allies to the proposition submitted through this government by President Castro. Mean- time. with fair words to the United States, they are pursuing the policy they mapped out originally as to Venezuela. The block- ade of Venezuelan ports fs still in force, commerce with the South American re- public is being hampered seriously and al- ready the Castro government has lost through the action of’the aHies an amount sufficient to liquidate their claims against it. The charge is made, but with what basis scarcely can be estimated in this country, that the Venezuelan: evolutionist leaders are being aided materially. by some of the allies with a view either of bringing Presi- dent Castro to terms or:ofeffecting a com- bination with the revolutionists whereby the flat claims of the ailles are to be paid in the event of the downfall of the Castro government. Thus far; this government has paid little heed to the charge, but it has not been disregarded entirely. As viewed by some well-in§prmed officials here. it 1s the evident intention of the allies to crush President Castro,.ff possible, and make terms for a settlement of their claims afterward. It is sugge: that therein may le the reason for the delay. in respond- ing to the Venezuelan prépasition. How- ever. with the collection: of ‘Just claims against the Venezuclam government the United States has no comeern,;provided al- ways that the methods pursued do not trench upon American rights.and interests. It is probable, therefore;; thatcthe attitude of this government will mot bewltered from one of awaiting developmentss: Think It Will Me Ratified. The status of the Cubam recigeecity treaty in the Senate also. was\eonsidered. Confi- dence was expressed" by tthe iPtesident and members of the cabinet that: the treaty would be ratified, bit the @isposition of some of the advocates ofthe ’ueet sugar in- terests to couplerthe Cuban trlaty with the pending Philippine ‘tart ‘billiwas depre- cated. It has heen that the reduc- tion on the duties o! ine-sugar to 25 per cent of the Dingley rate would paralyze the domestic suga¢ indpstry. of the beet sugar advaca' are mOfé, apprehen- sive of this reduction in duty than of the concessions extended by. the pending treaty to the Cuban sugar planters. They are dis- posed, however, to tie the two together and oppose them as inimical to an important American industry. Australia’s Educational System. Two prominent educators of Australia were presented to the President this morn- ing by Representative Douglas of New York, who lived in Austfalla several years. They were G. H. Knibbs of the University of Sydney and J. W. Turner of a training college at Sydney. ‘They are commissioners of education for New South Wales, Austra- la, and in April last started on a tour of the world to study educational methods. They are traveling as representatives of the Australian government. Thy. arrived in New York several days ag0, having spent many months in Eurgpe. ‘We are going to spénd some time in this country,” said Mr. Knibbs. ‘We desire to study educational methods in all parts of the United States, from the primary on up, so that the best to be had here:may be ap- plied to our own country. We are locking forward with pleasure to acquiring much valuable information in the United States. Geographically and. politically the two countries are much alike, the spirit of the American and Australian -people is much alike, and there is a great-deal in common between us. This countryhas given wide study to educational methads and to search- ing inquiry, and we expett to derive profit from our trip.”” “One thing I like about school matters in this country is that the states have control of their own educational institutions and that there is no general law covering the schools or interfering with thelr manage- ment. By your method the best system adapted to a particular community or 1lo- cality can be put into force, local condi- tions determining which 1s best. Our fed- eration of states will allow us to do the same thing.” Not Discuss the Trust Legislation. Senator Hoar was among the large num- ber of senators who called at the White House this morning. to talk with the Presi- dent. The supposition would be natural that he would probably talk with the President about trust legislation since the introduction of his bi!l along those lines. _ “Could I say that you were here discuss- ing the question of trust legislation with the President?” a reporter inquired of Sen- ator Hoar. “Oh, yes, you could say that,” responded the Massachusetts: senator ‘with a smile and carefully selécting tis words, “‘but it wouldn’t be true. I amehergon an alto- gether different matter.” Senators Platt of New: Yprky Lodge, Mc- Enery, Proctor, Doliivee: qnd: Representa- tive Pearre of Maryland were among the other callers. Secretary;R as the first caller during the morning. } President Going;ta Canton. President Roosevelt hms aesepted an in- vitation to attend a banguet:tm be given by the Canton Republican Zeagae in Canton, Ohio, on the evening of Janmary 27. The banquet is In honor of the ‘bimthday of Mr. McKinley. The late Ptesidemt's birthday anniversary is on the Math, but there is a state function In the White: House ‘that night an resident Rogmevelt#could not go then, so the time wap fixefi#for the 27th that the President, mi; e or 29th. The President wikgesvemere m Mone day evening, Janmary, and return to Washington on thg 28tH. ee For a Maryland Colored Man. Rev. Dr. Lyons, a colored. minister of Baltimore, is slated for. minister to Liberia, to succeed Dr. Crossland, the colored rep- resentative of this government to the Li- berian republic. The President has inform- ed a number of penctors: ape: tives that the next min WORK SAID TO BE MORE THAN A YEAR BEHIND. Increase in Naval Power Demands More Guns—Double Shifts of Workmen. The Washington navy yard is a busy place these days. Those who claim to be in a position to know say that work in the machine shops, where guns are manufac- tured for new war vessels, is more than a year behind. The plan to increase the navy; which has been agreed upon so far ag the leaders of the House are concerned, and which bids fair to be approved by Con- gress at the present session, means that doubly {ncreased. Naval officers have ail along contended that there is a possibility of trouble with Germany within a few years, and while hostilities may be counter- acted by pacific diplomatic measures, it is the desire of the Navy Department, back- ed by the administration, that the United States shall be prepared for an emergency. It is said that fully 500 more men are needed at the Washington navy yard. Al- ready a second shift of men in the second- ary mount shop and in tae miscellaneous machine shop has been ordered, it is said, additional force will be put to work in the shops at the yard. The men now employed in the shops at the navy yadr are perturbed. The officers in charge have, it is said, intimated to the men that, if they are willing to forego the price-and-a-half pay and accept straight pay for overtime, two shifts only of twelve hours each will be maintained; otherwise a system of three shifts of eight hours each will be inaugurated. Heretofore the men have received price-and-a-half pay for all overtime. The foregoing of extra pay for extra time is contrary to labor union prin- cipies. Shifts of Twelve Hours Favored. The men are said to favor two shifts of twelve hours each, in preference to three shifts of eight hours each, as in the latter case they would have to correct in their own time the errors of the new and inexperienced men employed. They are said to be perfectly willing to work twelve hours, but feel that in so doing they would be entitled to the scale rate of extra pay for the four hours in excess of the regu- y's work time of eight hours. Considerable dissatisfaction is said to ex- ist among the employes in the shops at the navy yard by reason of what they term the unfair treatment of them on the New Year holiday. Christmas they were accorded a half holiday, with pay. Prior to January 1 they were assured, it is said. that they should have the same half holiday on New Year with pay. As the story goes, they were told shortly before noon of that day that the half holi- day was not forthcoming. Many of the employes had arranged to spend the half day in their own diversion. Some had come to their work with better clothes so as to not make it necessary to return to their homes to dress. Others did not carry their luncheons with them and were compelled to patronize nearby restaurants. They were not only discommoded but displeased. rr TO SUCCEED HASBROUCK. Lieut. Col. Johnston to Be Appointed a Brigadier General. The President has directed the appoint- ment of Lieut. Col. John A. Johnston of the adjutant general's department as a briga- dier general to fill the vacaney caused by the retirement of Gen. H. C. Hasbrouck. General Johnston resigned his commission | in the army a few weeks ago in order to devote his entire time to the settlement of the large estate of his father-in-law, and his resignation was accepted, to take effect on the ist proximo. His elevation to the rank of a general officer is intended as a simple recognition of his excellent military services, and carries with it no pay or emoluments, as his resignation will take effect immediately on his confirmation by the Senate. General Johnston is a native of Pennsyl- vania and a graduate of the Military Acad- emy of the class of 1879. He served in the cavalry arm until May, 1898, when he was transferred to the adjutant general's depart- ment. During the Spanish war and the Philippine insurrection he had direct charge of the enlistment branch of the department and performed that arduous and important work in a most acceptable manner. Presidential, Nominations. The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: Beige Sidney O. Weeks, surveyor of customs-for - -Promotions—Artillery Corps: Col. Wm. P. Vose, to be colonel. Judge advocate general's department: Capt. Louis B. Lawton, 26th Infantry, to be judge advocate, with rank of major. - To be a second lieutenant of infantry: Lewis W. Mosely, at large. 4 Also several minor promotions in the the work in the navy yard will be more than; and as soon as men may be procured an j. TRUST REGULATION UNDER SUPERVISION OF DEPART- MENT OF COMMERCE. Provision for Bureau of Insurance and Corporations Inserted in Bill at President’s Request. The proposed regulation of trusts, if authorized by Congress, will be conducted under the supervision of the new depart- ment of commerce and labor. The report of the House interstate commerce commit- tee favorably reporting a substitute for the Senate bill, which was presented today by Representative Mann of Chicago, makes provision for a bureau of insurance and corporations which shall be under the super- vision of the secretary of the new depart- ment. This bureau, as officially announced by Representative Mann, is intended to be the vehicle.of the executive branch of the government for carrying into effect the pro- posed legislation on- the subject of trust combinations. At Request of President. The provision for the bureau of insurance and corporations in the bill was at the direct request of President Roosevelt. The President has held several conferences with Mr. Mann since the latter was instructed by the interstate and foreign commerce committee to write the report on the new department, and in this regard the report was drafted in compliance with the recom- mendations made by President Roosevelt at these meetings. In his talks with the members of the House who have been prime movers for the department of commerce and labor the President has made it plain that he does not desire any legislation which will be impractical or which will prove a burden to small corporations. For this reason he will, while he would have the publicity provisions of the anti-trust bill as rigid and effective as words can make them, also have them so drafted that the secretary of commerce and labor would have some discretion in their enforcement. Aimed at But Few Corporations. There are thousands of corporations in the country doing interstate commerce business, but the present anti-trust crusade of the administration !s aimed at but com- paratively few of them. Mr. Roosevelt is said to understand that it would prove a great burden on many of the smaller cor- Porations should they be forced to file re- Ports with the secretary of commerce and labor, and that there would be no particu- lar object in their doing so. Consequently he believes, he has told vis- iting statesmen, that the true solution of the publicity problem lies in the appoint- ment of a board under the secretary of commerce and labor which shall have au- thority to ,investigate trusts and require them to file reports concerning their methods of business whenever ordered to do so. A law written in this way, the President betieves, according to these statesmen, would permit the enforcement of anti-trust legislation against those cor- porations which actually are offending and would permit those whfth are conducting their business in compliance with ‘the law and public policy to continue unmolested and unburdened. ——$——or_______ THE DISTRICT BILL. Hearings Begun by Subcommittee in Charge of the Measure. Work was begun today on the District appropriation bill by the subcommittee of the House appropriations committee. Part of the’ morning session was given up to hearing Mr. Theodore -W. Noyes on the needs of the Public Library, and the re- quirements of the public schools were then considered. At the afternoon session the board of charities, the school trustees and representatives of the District militia were heard. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. Republicans Have a Majority of 144 on Joint Ballot. HARRISBURG, Pa., January 6—The Pennsylvania legislature organized at noon today and will probably adjourn finally on April 16. The republicans have a majority on joint ballot of 144. This assures the re- election of United States Senator Boles Penrose by the joint convention of the sen- ate and house on January 21. Henry F. Walton of Philade!phia was elected speaker of the house and John M. Scott of Phiia- delphia was chosen president pro tem. of the genate. The Capito! building commission submit- ted a report stating that the new Capitol buiiding, including the art, designs, wili be completed by January, 1906, and within the appropriation of $4,600,000 made by the last legislature. Both bodies will take a recess tomorrow until January 19, to allow the presiding officers to prepare the standing committees. The repubiicans and democrats will both caucus tonight for United States senater® Boies Penrose will be nominated by the re- pubiican caucus, and Col. James Guffey of Pittsburg, by the democratic caucus. COMMISSION MEETS More Testimony Regarding the Miners’ Strike. NON-UNION MEN HEARD WAGE STATEMENT OF INDEPEN- DENT COMPANIES FILED. Judge Gray Surprised to Hear Coal Operators Paid Salaries of Deputies. PHILADELPHIA, January recess over the holidays, the anthracite ccal strike commission resumed its work today of hearing the non-union men's side of the controversy In the great industrial war in the anthracite coal regions during the past year. The sessions of the com- mission in this city are being held in the United States cireuit court room in the fed- eral building, add it is expected that fully a month will be occupied in taking the test!- 6—After a mony of the non-union men, the coal oper- ators and the mine workers in rebuttal. When the commission adjourned at Scran- ton the miners had closed their case, and the non-union men were engaged in pre- senting their side of the conflict. Up to the holiday recess the lawyers for the non- union men had taken up about three days in calling witnesses who testified to acts of violence, boycotting and intimidation al- leged to have been committed by members of the miners’ union. The witnesses heard were principally from the upper region, in the vicinity of Scranton and Wilkesbarre. The session began at 11 o'clock. The court room was well filled when the com- missioners filed in and took their seats. All the prominent attorneys were present ex- cepting C. S. Darrow, leading counsel for the miners, who was delayed in the west. Independent Companies’ Wage State- ment. The first business brought up was the presentation by their counsel of the wage statements of several of the small inde- pendent coal companies in the Hazleton region. John J. Williams, a mining engineer, em- ployed by the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal Company, was the first witness. He told how he was set upon and beaten while on his way to work, but he could not swear that the strikers committed the assauit. Sheriff Schadt of Lackawanna county gave in detail his experiences during the strike and finally his call upon Gov. Stone forassistance. The sheriff said that Presi- dent Mitchell had several times assisted him in preventing trouble. President Mitchell cross-examined Sheriff Schadt, and the latter admitted that he had employed about fifty deputies which the coal companies had paid for. He would not say that a general sfate of lawlessness prevailed in the county, but a reign of ter- ror existed in some localities. Why Did Not the County Pay? Gen...Wilson asked thé sheriff why the county did not pay the deputy sheriffs, and counsel for the witness explained that it was the law in Pennsylvania that the come pany pay the cost for protection. Chairman Gray, evidently surprised at the statement, said: “I am not familiar with such an un-American law. When the county or the state relinquishes the duty of maintaining order, protecting life and keeping the peace then matters are reach- ing a sorry state.” Three additional witnesses were heard, after which a recess was taken until 2 —_++<-- BOERS VISIT CHAMBERLAIN. Attend Entertainment in His Honor Given at Pretoria. PRETORIA, Transvaal, January 6.—All doubts as to whether the Boers would par- ticipate in the entertainments given In honor of Colonial Secretary Chamberlain and Mrs, Chamberlain were dissipated by the appearance of Gens. Botha, Delarey, Cronje and Smuts at the garden party given by the governor yesterday. The tendance of the town Boers, however, was not large. Mrs. Cham®erlain is. tactfuily aiding the colonial secretary in his pacifica- tery mission. When Gen. Cronje was introduced she at first did not catch his name, but immediate- ly after she head it was Gen. Cronje Mrs. Chamberlain sent for him and engaged in a giead conversation with the noted gen- eral. ———_+-+-~___ GREAT BRITAIN HEARD FROM. It is Believed That Venezuelan Dis- pute Will Surely Go to The Hague. Secretary Hay has received the British answer to Castro's latest proposal relative to arbitration. It is assumed that the British note reflects the views of the Ger- man government as the allies have been acting in harmony so far. The note 1a in- terlocutory, but in substance states that if Venezuela wishes a conference with a view to submitting the differences between the two countries to arbitration Great Britain will accede. The conditions at- tached are slightly different froin the orl- inal British proposition, but in the judg- ment of officials here the differences be- tween the allies and Venezuela in respect to arbitration are much diminished, and there is warrant for the expectation that the cate will now surely go to The Hague. The next step will be a reply from Presi- dent Castro. GEN. CORBIN ACCEPTS. Will Serve as Grand Marshal of the Parade in St. Louis in April. Major General H. C. Corbin, adjutant general of the army, has accepted an invi- tation to serve as grand marshal for the parade and dedicatory ceremonies incident to the one hundredth anniversary of the. Louisiana purchase to be held at St. Louis April 30 next. He has selected Lieutenant Cotcnel Edward A. Godwin, 10th Cavalry, as his chief of staff for.that occasion. Col- onel Godwin is now on duty at the exposi- tion grounds at St. Louis. —<— ORDERED NOT TO RETURN. Intimidation of a Negro Mail Carrier y in Louisiana. Post Office Inspector Peters of New Or- leans has been ordered to make an invest!- gation of the reported intimidation of Charles Jackson, a negro mali carrier at Boeufriver, La. In a dispatch to the Post- master General yesterday information was received to the effect that Sunday night a posse of citizens of Boeufriver ordered Jackson not to return with the mail on his route or his life would pay the forfeit. The reason given for the action of the posse was race prejudice. Inspector Peters was noti- fied of the case by telegraph and hurried to the scene to make an investigation. No repurt has been received from him as yet.