Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, May 11, 1901, Page 2

Te a ns The Herald--Review. By EB. C. KILEY, MINNESOTA, GRAND RAPIDS, - The jewels which the duchess of Cornwall takes with her to Australia lace insured against all risks for £75,- ‘Those of the duke are insured for £2,000. 000. Nazareth has now its telegraph of- where an Armenian operator, in dinary European dress, keeps the Nage community in touch with the eat world. A Roman chariot has been found ear Philippopolis, Bulgaria, in a tu- 1ulus, All the metal parts of the hariot and the harness were found, s well as arms and human remains. The largest tree in the state of New ersey is a white oak, situated three ailes north of Mickelton, Gloucester ounty. Its dimensions are: Height, 5 feet; diameter of trunk, three feet -bove the ground, 7 feet 10 inches, and spread of branches, 118 feet. This ‘ree antedates the settlement of the solony. * Since the supply of brains is nos equal to the demand, the price vf orains has gone up. The president of he new steel corporation is reported to receive a million-dollar salary. Twenty years ago he began work for Mr. Carnegie at thirty dollars a month. Today, at the age of 39, he has out- stripped every other wage-worker in the world, Material from the excavations at Co- pan, in Honduras, is steadily accumu- lating at the Peabody museum, Cam- bridge, Mass. The museum has been able to complete in this prehistoric city its investigations of the great hie- roglyphic stairway on the face of the pyramid. Molds have been made of all of the steps, with their carvings and inscriptions. The German papers state that dur- ing the last year the exports from the United States to the Argetine Repub- lic have increased 39 per cent, as com- pared with the figures of the preceding year. ‘This gives America second place «mong the countries which do export business into Argentine, while the German Empire has passed down to the fourth place. England stands first. Cremation is becoming increasingly popular in Paris, and the crematorium erected at the cemetery of Pere La Chaise has already been found to be too small. Additions are being made, and a third furnace, a large hall, and 4 columbarium will soon be ready for use, The last-named will contain 10,- 000 receptacles for ashes. These niches are closed with slabs of marble, which inscriptions may be cut. is said that a telephone system, g common barbwire fences as a uctor of the voice of its patrons, been placed in use in Pullman, 1, conversation being held over s easily as any long-distance tele- .e line. The line runs from a ho- in Pullman to a farm nine miles h of the town and it was placed operation by several farmers for -ir private use. Tne entire line, nine miles in length, with four telephones, cost less than $100. The forestry division of the agricul- tural department is engaged in draft- ing a working plan looking to the con- servation of the timber on a tract of 300,000 acres in the neighborhood of * Millinocket, Me., belonging to a pri- vate paper corporation. It is a part of a general policy to be inaugurated by the department for the conservation of timber land throughout the United States to secure a perpetual crop of timber in the various areas under con- sideration. The private concern will pay all expenses of the work save the salaries of the government experts, who are directed by Prof. Gifford Pin- chot, chief of the division. An incident which reflects great credit on the labor organization of the country occurred at the late convention of the American Federation of Labor in Louisville, Ky. The National Liquor Dealers’ association came be- fore the convention with a formal pro- posal that the two bodies form an of- fensive and defensive alliance. The liquor dealers were ready to agree, in the event of this coalition, to employ only union bartenders and waiters, and to sell union-made beer. For a time it looked as if they might persuade the labor men, but a delegate from Illinois arose, and in a stirring speech recalled the influence of Miss Frances E. Wil- lard on behalf of organized labor, and urged the convention in her name to reject the proposition. When the vote was taken its was almost unanimously against the alliance. The Knights of Labor have also taken the same ground —a course which will add more strength to the organization than would be a million dollars in its treas- ury. To abate the advertising nuisance— advertisements which are in them- selves obnoxious or which are dis- played in unsuitable places—legisiation is not always necessary. Such action as that recently taken by the Bill- Posters’ association of England is quite as effective. A theatrical man- eager perpetrated a sensational and vulgar poster. The bill-posters refused to put it up. Here is foundation for the hope that one day all public- spir- ited citizens will decline to use paint- pot and brush to disfigure the beauties of nature. MANY LIVES LOST CASUALTIES ADD TO THE HORROR OF THE JACKSONVILLE FIRE. A Number of People, Hemmed in by the Fire, Jumped Into the St. Johns River and Nearly All of Them Lost Their Lives—Number of the Victims Is Not Known— Work of Clearing Up the Debris Proceeding Rapidly Reliet Trains Bring Supplies for the Homeless and Hungry. Jacksonville, Fla., May 7.—Just how many persons perished in the great fire of Friday cannot be ascertained at this time. It is known, however, that Martha Hagan. a colored woman, per- ished in the flames, for her partially burned body was found in front of the door of her house. A number of peo- ple whose names cannot be learned were drowned in the river while at- tempting to escape from the flames. They were the occupants of the Meyer & Muller and the Mohawk blocks, which ran back to the river from Bay street. These people were hemmed in by the fire and took refuge on the docks. The latter were soon in flames, and one person after another Jumped Into the St. Johns, Several of them crowded into a boat, which was capsized and nearly all were drowned. A steam launch picked up several men who were struggling in the water, but did not report their names, and so it is not known who the rescued were. The citizens have taken breath from the direful calamity visited upon them, and to-day building operations will begin. The streets have already been cleared of rubbish as much as possible, and an army of linemen are at work clearing away the miles of tangled telephone wires. Firemen are still playing on the smok- ing ruins, and where possible men are digging safes out of the mass of bricks that cover them. The hunger of 10,000 homeless people was satisfied yesterday upon the arrival of relief trains and boats Bringing Provisions from neighboring towns. Early yes: terday morning a commissary was established in the center of the city and thousands were fed during the day. The relief fund is growing hour- ly and every mail brings offers of as- sistance. An order was promulgated under martial law requiring all mer- chants whcese stores were spared by the conflagration to open their doors and sell to all who asked. The streets have been crowded all day with shop- pers who lost all in the fire, and many stores remain open all night. It is es- timated that 3,000 persons have left the city and every outgoing train is Crowded With Refugees. Five car loads of tents have been re- ceived, the property of the state, which are to be ysed by the homeless tem- porarily. Another shipment of tents is expected from the government to- day. The Times-Union and Citizen es- timates the total property loss at $11,- 000,000. These figures are based upon an itemized statement furnished by a volunteer committee of citizens. Mar- tial law is being rigidly enforced and the town is quiet, although much anx- lety prevails because of the threats said to have been made by the negroes that they would obtain provisions by force at their first opportunity. ARE LEAVIN G PEKIN. American Troops Commence Evacu- ation of China. Pekin, May 7.—The American cav- alry and artillery, which has been or- dered to leave China, has just left here for Tien-tsin. The men_ will march to that place, carrying ten days’ concentrated rations. They marched yesterday to Tong Ku. These cavalry- men were extremely popular here, and the cleanliness and order of their camp arrangements were much praised. Im- posing farewell ceremonies attended their departure. Sir Alfred Gaselee and other British generals with their staffs were present and the British commander sent a detachment of Baiuchis, who escorted the Americans outside the city walls. Gen. Chaffee publicly thanked the cavalry and ar- tillery for their services in the interna- tional relief expedition and for their behavior since, which has been, he said, a credit to themselves and their nation. The infantry and headquar- ters staff will leave by rail as soon as the transports arrive at Taku. General Disorder Feared. Reports have been received that the districts along tHe line of march of the German troops returning from the west have been largely deserted by their inhabitants. There has been much commandering by them. They required supplies and transportation from one mandarin, who, fearing that compliance with he demands made upon him were impossible, committed suicide. Other districts are reported to be greatly disturbed by disbandea soldiers and banditti. One district re- quested aid from the French soldiers, who, upon arriving there, had a fight with the outlaws and sustained some loss. Two of their officers were killed. These reports of disturbance are held to show that there will be disorders in every direction should the evacuation of foreign troops begin without ar- ranging for the return of a sufficient Chinese force to maintain order. To Open Up Manchuria. London, May 7.—“I am informed by @ high native official,” says a Shanghaa correspondent of the Times, ‘that China has approached the powers sug- gesting a complete reopening of Man- churia to the enterprise of all coun- tries, and that replies have been re- ceived from Japan, the United States and Great Britain. Japan cordially ap- proves the suggestion. The United States government generally assents, but suggests an application of the principle to the whole empire. Great Britain approves. It is feared, how- ever, that Russia will object. The chamber of commerce and the British and American associations are vigor- ously protesting against the proposed increase of the customs tariff to 10 ner cent.” Is IT A MIRACLE. Doctors Examine the Spots on the Famous “Dleeding Picture” at Menominee, Mich. Marinette, Wis., May 7.—At the re- quest of the Reverends Cleary and Papon of Menominee, Catholic pastors of the Irish and Polish Catholic churches, respectively, the physicians made a microscopic examination of the spots on the bleeding picture. The doctors were unable to decide by the microscope whether or not it was blood, They say that a chemical analy- sis is necessary. Both of the priests mentioned above are inclined to think that the manifestation is a miraculous one. The candles are still kept burn- ing about the picture, and many peo- ple are praying before it. The fact that two of the priests believe that it may prove to be a miracle is causing many to take the matter more serious- ly. WILL ACCEPT. Minister Conger Says He Will Not Refase Iowa's Gubernatorial Nomi- nation. Des Moines, Iowa, May 7.—Minister Conger has authorized the publication of the following card: “In reply to hundreds of letters from all over Iowa, which I cannot answer personally, urging me to accept the nomination for governor by the Repub- licar party, I repeat the statement first made, that I cannot be a candi- date, but will accept nomination if it is tendered to me. —E. H. Conger.” Minister Conger has gone to Wash- ington to report to the state depart- ment and consult with the authorities with regard to the situation in China: POSSIBLY A MURDER. An Unknown Man Found Dead Near East Grand Forks. Grang Forks, N. D., May 7. — The dead body of an unknown man was found in the woods near the river in East Grand Forks yesterday morning. Several pools of blood were found in the vicinity and the coroner was noti- fied. An identification card found on the deceased bore the name of Charles M. Heck and requested that informa- tion be sent to John Heck, Ripley, Ohio, in case of accident. The man came in from the west two days ago. An autopsy has been performed and a bad contusion was found behind one ear. Haron to Have State Fair. Huron, S. D., May 7.—A number of Huron citizens have filed articles of incorporation for a charter for an or- ganization to be known as “Central South Dakota Fair association.” The plan is to lease for a term of years a tract of land in close proximity to the city and fit it up for fair purposes; an annual stock carnival will be the chief attraction, the first to be held early in October. A large amount of stock has been taken in the enterprise and its success is assured. Now Opposed to Hazing. Sioux City, Iowa, May 7. — The stu- dents of Morningside college here have taken an official stand against the practice of hazing after an unfortu- nate affair of a few days ago. A new student was hauled from his bed in the night and his clothes torn off him, and he was given a severe fright. His friends came to his rescue and there came near being a riot. The faculty has just ascertained who some of the leaders of the affair were and has suspended them. A Million Dollar Mortgage. Omaha, May 7.—One million dollars is the amount of a mortgage filed in the office of the Douglass county reg- ister of deeds. (It is the first lien mort- gage and deed of trust from the Union Pacific Railroad company to the Mer- cantile Trust Company of New York, given to secure the payment of an item of $1,000,000 of 4 per cent gola ponds, dated April 15, 1901, and due May 1, 1911. For North Dakot: Mandan, N. D., May fair management has had the track put in shape for the coming fair. Con- siderable work has been placed on it, and it is now pronounced the best and fastest track in the state. About $2,000 purse money has already been raised. The different committees have been appointed, and the work for the com- ing exposition is well under way. His Job a Fatal One. Brainerd, Minn., May 7. — James Schwartz, a laborer, was drowned in the river here. Schwartz has recently been employed on the new bridge, but had taken a job on the drive. In com- pany with two other men he went to the river to proctice and fell off a log when about twenty-five feet from shore. His home is near Mankato. He leaves a wife and child. Will Be Taken Back. Pierre, S. D., May .7.—Agent Hatch. of the Cheyenne agency, refusing to take charge of the smallpox-infected Indians who came in here Friday evening from Forest City, they were sent back to that place, under guard. The agent takes the position that their homes are on Bad river, and they should be sent there. Celestial Rounded Up. Fargo, N. D., May 7. — Fung Yung Gee, a former resident of the Flowery Kingdom, was arrested at Pembina, 'where he had walked across the in- ternational boundary line. He is now in the local jail with three other Celes- tials who were arrested in Portal, and whose trial has been adjourned to May 18. Killed by Lightning. Aberdeen, S. D., May 7. — During a heavy thunder storm Judge J. J. Healy was struck by lightning and in- stantly killed at his ranch west of this city. Judge Healy was an intimate friend and associate of Senator Kyle. Suspected of Selling Stolen Goods. Aberdeen, S D., May 7.—A gang of six tcugh looking characters are under arrest here on suspicion of selling stolen property. They were peddling pantaloons and spectacles thought to have been planted in this vicinity. Expressive. “Who is that girl with a face full of freckles over yonder?” “She's a recent importation from Switzerland.” “Ah. | se! Dotted Swiss.”"—L.tro Free Press, THOROUGH PROBING] CHARGES AGAINST INDIAN AGENTS TO BE INVESTIGATED. It Is Alleged That Many of Them Are Not Only Openly Violating the Law, but Are Taking Advantage of Their Official Position to Make Money Out of the Indians—North and South Dakota Agencies In- volved in the Charges—No Minne- \sota Agencies Are Affected. Washington, May 8.—Serious charges have been preferred against several Indian agents, and the department will make a sweeping investigation. The National Civil Service Reform association, aided by the Indian Rights association, make the charges and de- mand the removal of several agents who, it is alleged, are not only vio- lating the law, but are taking advan- tage of their official position to make money out of the Indians. Ordinarily, not much attention is paid to com- plaints by the civil service people, for they are persistent to a degree to place everything in the classified service. But, in this case, the charges are so specific that nothing less than a full investigation will be had. Several Northwestern agents are charged with gross violations of law. J. H. Stevens, agent at Crow Creek, S. D., is accused of having bought stock of Indians through Post Trader Bradley. Thom- as Richards, agent at Fort Berthold, N. D., is accused of drinking heavily, of keeping liquor at the agency, and using it in excess, In Open Violation of Law. It is further stated that Richards of- fered and tempted certain Indians to drirk. Also that he is in deals with three half-breeds for the purpose of making money from the Indians’ ‘stock herds. At Yankton, S. D., Agent J. W. Harding is acccused of inducing one Sofie Iron Hawk to relinquish an allotment of land through which a railroad had just been built for the nominal consideration of $3, whereupon Lorena Pierce, a niece of the agent, immediately filed a homestead claim upon the tract. The agent himself then built a store upon the land, a railroad town called Lake Andes was established, and the agent went into business in the store, where he spent most of his time and neglected his agency work. During three days spent by a government inspector at the agency the agent was not found there, and was only seen at the store, where, he unwittingly sold goods to the in- spector. Gross favoritism is charged against this agent, appointments, con- tracts, etc, being avowedly given only those who would act in his interest. No Minnesota agencies are affected by the forthcocming investigation. The committee making the charges speaks very highly of Capt. Mercer’s adminis- tration at Leech Lake. TO DELAY ACTION. Scheme of the New Panama Canal Company. Washington, May 8—The continued efforts of the new Panama Canal com- pany to unload upon the United States the big De Lesseps ditch are regarded here as a part of the general plan to prevent the construction of the Nicar- aguan canal, Mr. Hutin, the president of that company, has allowed it to be under- stood that his company is ready to have appraisers appointed to fix the value of the Panama canal property with a view to its sale to the United States, The friends of the Nicaragua canal project regard this as only a proposition to delay action by con- gress. The United States government could never become the owner of the Panama cenal. The charters to the Panama Canal company absolutely prohibit it to cede or mortgage its right te any nation or foreign goverti- ment, under penalty of forfeiture. The concessions from Colombia also pro- hibit such disposition of the property. The isthmian canal commission, of which. Admiral Walker is president, made a thorough investigation of this question, and reported that even if the privileges of the company could be Purchased and Transferred to the United States they were incum- bered with charges and conditions that would not permit this government to exercise all the rights of complete ownership over a canal constructed by it over the Panama route. The gov- ernment could only become a minority stockholder in the company. Senator Morgan, chairman of the senate com- mittee on interoceanic canals, believes that all the propositions from the new Panama Canal company are made for the sole purpose of delaying action by this government on the Nicaraguan canal plan. He will continue to oppose all Panama canal schemes and work for a canal to be owned and controlled by the government. Chairman Hep- burn of the house is in full sympathy with Senator Morgan and will reintro- duce his bill to construct a canal by the Nicaragua route to be owned and controlled by the United States gov- ernment. Mr. Hepburn believes that bill will again pass the house and be accepted by the senate. XRUGER MAY COME. The President Has Not Made Any Statement in Regard to Recep- tion. ‘Washington, May 8.—It is learned at the state department that the presi- dent has made no attempt through any of the usual channels to the effect that he would refuse to receive Presi- dent Kruger officially or unofficially. The government has made no promise as to the character of his reception if he should decide to come here. CHANGES IN MINISTRY. German Cabinet Members Reign and Successors Are Appointed. Berlin, May 8—The Reichsanzeiger, the imperial official organ, announces the resignations of Ministers Miguel, Hammerstein, Brefeld and Von Mi- guel, who have been called to the up- per house. Hammerstein receives the portfolio of the interior. Herr Kraetke has received the appointment of post- master general. Other changes in the ministry are: Baron’ Rheinbaben, minister of finance; Herr Mohler, min- ister of commerce. PRESIDENT IN ARIZONA. In Warmly Welcomed ana Spends an Interesting Day. Phoenix, Ariz., May 9. — The presi- dentiar party spent an interesting day in Arizona. Two hours in the morning at the Congrcss gold mine up in the clouds of the Blue Tank mountains were replete With incidents and were thoroughly enjoyed. An American flag was draped across the,tunnel through which the president passed, and after he emerged he told the little group of miners who congregated about the train that he had seen Old Glory floating from tower and state house and warship in many different places, but never before during his life had he seen the American flag 1,500 feet under ground. Monday, passing through New Mex- ico and yesterdey in Arizona, the cow- punchers at the stops along the route inquired vociferously where “Teddy” was. Many of the vice president’s rough riders during the Spanish war were recruited in this section and there was much disappointment that he was not in the party. On the way to Phoenix the tire of one of the wheels of the engine tender became loose and for the first time since the long journey began, the telegrapher with the train was compelled to climb a telegraph pole to tap the wire. At Wickenburg, the scene of the re- cent gold mine strike, the train was helted long enough to permit the pres- ident to receive a visit from the school children. The children presented Mrs. McKinley with a cabinet of specimens. The president thanked the children in Mrs. McKinley’s behalf. i The accident to the locomotive ten- der delayed the arrival of the train at Phoenix two hours and somewhat dis- arranged the program there. Nevet- theless, the party received a rousing welcome. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon the presidential party resumed its journey. The departure was so timed that the Colorado desert and -old basin of the Gulf of California below sea level and barren of all vegetation would be traversed during the night. The Colorado river, which is the boun- dary of Arizona, will be crossed at Yuma, and the party awoke in Cali- fornia this morning. / CLIMAX IN EASTMAN TRIAL. Defendant Takes the Stand and Tells Hix Own Story. Cambridge, Mass., May 9.—The cli- max in the Eastman murder trial was reached yesterday when the defendant himself took the stand to tell his own story. He went into no elaborate de- tails, but answered only the questions put to him by his lawyer. For two hours he was on the stand giving his testimony as to his relations with Gro-~ gan andthe ineidents of the day of the shooting. shooting was an accident and up to last October he had always believed that it was the old rim-fire pistol which discharged the bullet which killed his brother-in-law. The strug- gle which followed, he said, was for the possession of the center-fire pistol. which Grogan had in his hand. East- man said that he went to Grogan first to assist him, and then, because of the expression on his face, to get the weapon away from him. He said that there was so much noise and confusion in the struggle that he could not recall how many times Grogan’s revolver went off, but that it did go off, he was almost certain. He did not know how he received his own wound and said he did everything possible after the af- fair to assist Grogan to the house and was prostrated with grief when he found that he was dying. The cross- examination was not finished when the court adjourned for the day. TURK DEFEATS JENKINS. American Champion Succambs to Superior Weight. New York, May 9. — Nouroulah, the big Turkish wrestler, made short work of Tom Jenkins of Cleveland, the champion wrestler of America at the Madison Square Garden last night. He downed Jenkins twice in a catch-as- catch-can match, the first time in four minutes and thirty-five seconds and the second time in five minutes and two seconds. The match was decided on best two out of three falls and Jenkins, while showing a remarkable amount of cleverness, was unable to compete against, the enormous weight of his big opponent. There were about 4,000 people in the Gartlen and George Bothner, the wrestling in- structor of the Knickerbocker Athletic club, acted as referee for all the bouts of the night. LIVES SNUFFED OUT. Powder Explosion in a Colliery in Pennsylvania, Wilkesbarre, Pa., May 9.—Five men were’ probably fatally injured by an explosion of powder which occurred at the Henry colliery of the Lehigh Valley Coal company. The powder was on a “trip” of cars. As the cars entered the slope they broke away and dashed down the mine. When the cars reached the bottom of the slope the concussion caused the powder to explode. The force of the explosion was terrific. and the men who were riding on the ‘‘trip” were badly injured from the shock as well as by the explosion. The injured men are: Patrick Sharpe, John and James Burke, David Morgan and Thomas Duffy. Insurgents Suffer Defeat. Manila, May 9.—Lieut. John D. L. Hartman, with 63 men of Troop K, of the First cavalry, encountered 250 in- surgents near the village of Balayan, in Batangas province, Luzon. The en- emy made three stands and were de- feated by the American cavalrymen. There were no American casualties. A naval court of inquiry is investigat- ing the alleged connection of Lieut. Richard H. Townley with the case of Capt. Reed, who has been tried for of- ficial misconduct in connection with the commissary department. Fatal Runawny. Spokane, Wash., May 9.—Sister Sim- eon, of Sacred Heart hospital, lies dead from a runaway accident. and Sister Gregory suffers from injuries which may prove fatal. They went driving with a patient and the team ran away. Indians Have Smallpox. i; Port Townsend, Wash., May 9.—The steamer Cottage City confirms the pre- vious reports of smallpox at Sitka and also that the disease is rapidly spread- ing among the Indians. The Indian vil- lage is under strict quarantine. He declared that the | TROL OF THE N. P. Fight of \Financial Giants Results in the H&rriman Interests Guin- ing Contvol\of the Northern Pa- eifle—Under thle Tremendous Buy- ing Demand ok the Rival Inter- ests Common sect Goes Up to 149 3-4—Stock Actually Cornered —Enormous Short Tikterent Dis- \ \, New York, May 9.—A fight between giants of the financial world for the control of the Northern Pacific road ended yesterday with what is declatea to be the defeat of James J. Hill, preis- ident of the Great Northern railroad}, and his friends, and the acquirement \ closed. from which the H/‘ll interests vainly strove the other day to wrest the Union Pacific. The Harriman syndi- cate is made up of E. H. Harriman, James Stillman, president of the Na- tional City bank, and Jacob H. Schift. of Kuhn, Loeb & Co. George J. Gould, president of the Missouri Pacific, has - close friendly relations with the syndi- eate. It has been known for some time that The Plans of Mr. Hill, indicated by the arrangements for ac- quirement by the Great Northern and Northern Pacific companies of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad by the issue of collateral trust bonds, had disturbed the Union Pacific inter- ests. It was these plans that led up to the great exhibition of stock market fireworks in both Northern Pacific ana Union Pacific stocks last week and this, when the rival financial interests who were struggling for the stock of both conipanies were buying the shares in enormous blocks. Northern Pacific common stock on Monday of this week went up 171-2 points to 1271-2, its closing price, and jumped 221-4 points more yesterday to 1493-4, with the closing price for the day 1431-2. Big Short Interest Disclosed. The stock was actually cornered; the tremendous buying demand of thse rival Harriman and Hill interests hav- ing absorbed the entire floating supply. An cncrmous short interest was dis closed, representing traders who, tempted by the jumps in the price. which they believed to be unwarranted by actual conditions, had. sold short,- as well as houses that made a business of “arbitrage” between the local and | London stock markets. It seemed on the floor of the stock exchange after 3 o’clock yesterday af- ternoon, when the stock loan crowd got to work, that about every stock exchange house must be short of Northern Pacific. . Mr. Hill, a prominent railroad au- thority said, with the smoke of the bat- tle cleared away, would appear to be left in possession of the Great North- ern, the Burlington and Erie proper- ties. The other Northwestern rail- roads, including the St. Paul, will act in harmony with the Harriman inter- ests. NEW SUBSIDY BILL. Senator Freye Is Hard at Work on It. Washington, May 9.—Not only on ac- count of the activity shown by Ameri- capitalists in shipping interests, as is: il'ustrated by the purchase of British ships made by the Morgan syndicate, but also-as having a bearing upon the possible change of the chairmanship of the senate committee on commerce, the friends of shipping legislation are putting in some work here at present. The first thing they have on hand is to induce Senator Frye to remain at the head of the commerce committee. It is helieved they have succeeded in their efforts and that Mr. Frye will remain, and Senator Cullom of Ilinois will become the head of the foreign relations committee. In suprort of this it is admitted by those here who are devoting attention to shipping matters that Mr. Frye is -at work re- vamping the shipping bill which failed at the last session. He will try to so frame the measure that it will be simpler. also to remove some of the features against which the most vig- orous opposition was made. In con- nection with the Morgan purchases, however, {ft is stated by those in posi- tion to know that even if Mr. Mor- gan’s syndicate secures Half the British Tonnage, the fact will not directly affect the shipving legislation, and the reason given for this view is the fact that the sentiment was growing in the closing days of congress that ho subsidies should be paid to American owners of foreign built ships under any circum- stances. It is also claimed that the Morgan purchases are certainly not waade with the expectation of profiting from sundry legislation. In seeking reasons for the purchase, however, it is considered, according to the opinions formed at the treasury department upon advices from British sources, that it is not altogether on account of a desire to connect shipping lines with American.railroads that the recent deals were consummated. On the contrary. the opinion is that the cause is found in the present state of Britis!: shipping interests. It is claimed that the proposed tax of a shilling on-coal in England will’ fall harder upon British shipping than upon ak \other industry. This is the- panini: \% offered for the agreement of the English capitalists to permit Americans to obtain control of about 260,000 tonnage of British ships, to say” nothing of the latest report in regard’ to the Red Star line. SHOES FOR THE PHILIPPINES. Germany and Spain Get the Bulk of the Trade. Washington, May 9.—Germany and Spain sent more boots and shoes to the Philippine islands last year thin the United States according to a statement issued yesterday by the division of in- sular affairs of the war department. The importation from Spain was val- ued at $74,188 and from Germany at $50,241, while the United States sent only $7,882 worth. France pressed us | closely, her contribution being $7,166. », RANLROAD MAGNATE LOSES CON- - of control by the Harriman syndicate, |