Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, February 15, 1902, Page 6

‘GRAND ‘RAPIDS, - The Herald--Review. ‘By BE. C. KILEY. MINNESOTA. Even in the international perspective, the slouch hat has become greater than the crowned head. Will it be wine or beer at the christening of the German yacht, or just plain sarsaparilla? That Filipino general may have been a perfect lady, but war is not a good business for a lady to be in. Mr. Schwab should never forget that he is held up as a_ shining example to the young men of America. It is manifest that Tientsin tangle- foot will not permit the military breth- ren to dwell together in unity. We hope the government ukase against long-haired Indians does not apply to the Carlisle football team. Chile always seems to be spoiling | It may go up against aa | for a fight. antagonist too heavy for it some day. Marconi and Croker are going to England on the same boat—the wire- less man and the man of many wires. If Signor Marconi will get that S to | come unmistakably in this shape, $, we may not be as skeptical as at pres- ent. Three presidents of the United States have been of Scotch-Irish descent. The remainder have been of Americam as- cent. By meeting for terrible conflict in a cemetery the Colombian combatants are certain to leave some dead behind them. If the rumor of a donation of $26,- 000,000 to the University of Chicago is untrue, possibly the correct figure is $27,000,000, King Edward has started the fash- ion of wearing bracelets. They are indispensable when a man won't go along peaceahy. French scientists shake their heads when discussing Prof. Loeb’s discover- ies and advise the undertakers not to £0 out of business. The Egyptian women wore corsets 3,902 years ago. That’s why the mum- mies are in such a fine state of preser- vation. Long live the corset! John D. Rockefeller, Jr., says the world does not owe any man a living. Nor does the world give every young man a multimillionaire for a father. A Mississippi judge has declared that a negroe’s head is a deadly weapon. It was not generally supposed that this fact needed judicial determination. Buffalo has felt so lonely since the passing of the exposition that she has been compelled to invent a 212-pound oyster fished out of the Niagara river. French critics protest against Amer- ican writers of historfcal novels mak- ing history for France. They declare that French romancers are fully equal to the occasion. One of the most foolish things in modern class prejudice is the drawing of the color line in football. All the mop-headed gladiators look alike be- fore the first, half is over. That New York man who used a@ whistle to call his wife and a whip to correct her should not be difficult to elassify;. but out of consideration for the brute creation we refrain. Far better than the man who puts en sackcloth for his sins is he who -scatters ashes under his neighbor’s feet on:the slippery spots of the front pavement.—Baltimore American. (The men that robbed an Omaha gambling den say that they thought their occupation was open to no more objection :than ‘that of their victims. They pretty nearly make out their case. The South American Pan-Latin feel- 4ng against the United States is Pan- Greek to most of us:naw. Let us hope that it may never be translated into the frying;pan vernacular of military dispatches. It must be admitted that Cupid chooses queer weapons. Yesterday at the stockyards Kubelik smelled a bucket of lard, and this action sug- gested to a young woman stenographer that the violinist has domestic tastes. Thereupon she dropped him a dainty mote hinting that her tastes were also domestic and suggesting that a meet- fmg might be to their mutual advan- tage. Just think of the dear eld London Times complaining in a column edi- torial because there are not footwarm- ers enough to go around in the rail- way trains moving in and out of Lon- don. The footwarmers are contempo- rary with the warming pans of our daddies, but they are still yearning for “em in dear old Lunnon. Italy, in considering the distinctions made by this country in locating the responsibility for lynching, feels that it has encountered something very amucb like the old Gifteen puzzle. (GOV. VAN SANT’S MESSAGE Representatives: You have been called together tn extracrdi- report of the tax commission appointed pur- and for taking action upon the measures posed by ‘the said commission. many years there has been a universal de- mand in our state fer a commission clothed with the duty of preparing more eMfcient ‘tax recommended by many of my predecessors, and earnestly edvocated ‘by our state auditor, whose duties tn tax matters ‘make him -es- pecially familiar with ‘the defects of our pres- ent tax system. | Your body was practically unanimous ‘in ap- proving the bill providing for @ commission, there being only eight votes ‘recorded against it, four ‘m ‘the ‘house and four in ‘the senate. ™ order to ‘have the measures proposed by the! commission effective during the present year, the act provided ‘that the commission should’ complete its. work prior to the first of the ‘present month. i ‘In compliance ‘with ithe Jaw, the commission filed its report, together with certain proposed measures. In order that ‘the report might ‘be considered and its measures enacted into ‘laws as soon as possible, you adjourned the last ‘regular session ‘before the constitutional limita~ tion in order that ‘the subject matter of the report of the commission and the measures ‘proposed might ‘be taken up in extra ession without additional expense ‘to the state. Owing ‘to the urgent necessity of ‘more -effec-' tive tax ‘legislation It was tacitly understood! that if your general session was shortened you would be called together in extraordinary -ses- sion immediately after the report of the com- mission, for the purpose of affording an early opportunity ‘to consider ‘the measures proposed, and to enact such ‘laws as you might deem just and wise. ‘Pursuant to the understand- ing stated, and in accord with your purpose, and deeniing the work of the commission most thorough and complete, I issued my proclama- tion convening your honorable body at this time. Dettes of Tax Commission. Pursuant to your enactment the following citizens of our state were appointed as tax commissioners, to wit: Hon. W. J. Hahn, Hon. H. W. Childs and ‘Hon. G. S. Ives. The duties of the commission were specifically set out in the act as follows: “The duties of sald commission shall be to’ make a'tax code for the State of Minnesota. Such code shall include a complete system for! the just and equitable taxation of all forms of property, both tangible and intangible, and shall be ‘properly indexed and prepared in the Yorm of a bill or ‘bills for presentation to the Jegislature. Such code shall include provisions for a permanent tax commission, and shall de- fine its duties, powers and compensation. The commission shall also prepare a report and bill or bills providing for any constitutional amendments which may be necessary for prop- erly carrying out the systems of taxation rec- ommended by the commission.”’ Realizing the magnitude of the task and the limited time prescribed, the commissioners im- mediately commenced their work upon receiy- ing their appointments. For nine months they labored sincessantly; they visited other states and familiarized themselves with the tax laws there in vogue; they also visited many portions of our own state, thereby obtaining much in-' formation of value. After becoming thorough-, ly familiar with the tax Jaws of other states, | and the defects of our own system, they set, earnestly to work in the preparation of the proposed measures now so familiar to all of you. That their work has been done faith- fully and conscientiously cannot ‘be gainsaid, and for the earnest, honest and impartial dis- charge of their duties they are entitled to the unstinted praise of the people of our state. The gentlemen composing this commission are law- || yers of eminent ability and have in the past occupied such public positions as fitted them’ eapecially for the onerous burdens which they assume. These facts suggest most emphati- cally the wisdom of carefully considering their work done and refraining from criticism until their proposed measures are thoroughly under- stood. Jt must be borne in mind that Jimita- tions were placed upon the commissioners by the constitution. This fact made their duties particularly exacting, and that you may fully understand the difficulties under which they labored I refer you to their report which ac- the bills proposed by them. Meet the Issue Now. | ‘That the measures proposed are perfect, no ene will claim; even the commissioners assert that a more satisfactory code might be framed were it not for constitutional limitations. Nev- ertheless, that the measures proposefl are an improvement over the present inefficient sys- tem of taxation will mot be doubted for a mo- ment. I am aware of the fact that opposition to the adoption of the measures has arisen, and has oecasioned many suggesions lookitig to the defeat of the measures or the postpone- ment of their consideration. Im my judgment ft is wise to meet the issue now. To temporize will simply amount to deferring the c@sidera- tion of the very questions which now. confront us. No time will ever be more opportune than the present to meet this great question of tax- ation so important to the welfare of our state. If in your judgment the bill is defective, let it be amended. If too drastic, let it be changed. Counsel among yourselves earneetty and can- didly, and make whatever changes your wis- dom ‘dictates 1s proper. The suggestion that the matter of legislation be delayed until the constitutional limitations be removed does not commend itself to my judgment. for we have no assurance that the people will over remove these Limitations. Past experience demon- strates that so large a percentage of our peo- ple persistently fail to vote upon constitutional amendments, as to make submission quite un- certain. Hence, deferring this impcrtant mat- ter will in all probability simply delay the consideration of the issue which now confronts you. If the bill proposed is passed by you, and subsequently the constitutional limitations are moved, then the law can be so amended as to conform to the new conditions. The primary purpose of tax legislation is to compel all property to bear its just burden of taxation, except, of course, such as public policy sug- gests should be exempt. There should be no discrimination, ‘The property 0” all should be treated alike. Laws should be so framed tliat every dollar of the man of mens should re- spond to taxation the same as every piece of property of his less wealthy neighbor. Poor Bear the Burden. Under our present system the comparatively poor of our state bear more of the burden of taxation than the wealthier classes. Such cop- ditions should no longer exist. It is largely due to the fault of our system. The greatest evil of taxation is the inequality of the burden. I have sufficient faith in human nature to be- Neve that every man will ungrudgingly pay bis share of taxes if he is satisfied that his neighbor joes likewise. The evident intention of the commission in framing this bill was to so provide that taxation should rest alike upon the shoulders of all. It is therefore, in my judgment, imperative that you meet these con- ditions frankly, fearlessly and without delay. ‘The code reported by the commission will go very far to correct these deplorable existing conditions. During your last session it was conceded by ell that our tax laws should be corrected. Many of the other states hawe taken up this important subject and compiled laws far in advance of those which now control us. Let us not be behind the other states of the Union, but imitate their prudence by meeting the tax issue now. This code, we are advised, em- braces the best efforts and wisdom of other states which have ffamed tax codes with a view to full, equal and just taxation. Let your purpose be to so legislate that taxes may be apportioned in a fair and equitable manner to all classes and kinds of property. It is not my purpose to analyze the proposed code in detail. I commend it to you as a vast improvement over our present inefficient sys- tem. That provision alone which provides for ® franchise tax on public service corporations will bring large revenues to the state. Cor- porations of this character are so taxed in many states of the Tina. Permanent Tax Commission. ‘Without go.ng into details permit me to call our attention to the provision for a permanent commission. In the State of Michigan a law was passed providing for such a commis- sion—that being practically the only change in the then existing law—and the first year after the same went into operation assessments were increased about $350,000,000. Every interest should ha opportunity to ‘To the Members of the Senate and House of + mary session for the purpose of receiving the | suant to your enactment at the last session, | ‘pro- It is a matter of common knowledge that for | laws. The creation of such a commission has | long ‘been urged by the public ipress, ‘has ‘been | REVIEWS NEW TAX CODE AND MERGER SUIT Governor Urges Legislators to Adopt New Tax Laws Without Delay—Makes Recommendations —Call Attention to Northern Securi- ties Company. : be heard, and no injustice should be fone to any industry or to any individual. The large interests of our state will probably be repre- | sented and seek a hearing, but we must bear in ind that the man who has for years un- comp.ainingly paid his share and more of taxes cannot appear; but his rights as a citi- zen and taxpayer should nevertheless be con- sidered. The best way to aid him is to see to it that all who have contributed. too little or have escaped altogether pay their full share, and in that event his burden will be lessened. It is confidently predicted that the enactment of this code will result in largely increasing the assessment in-our state. If so, the rate of taxation will be materially decreased, and it those who oppose the listing of all property at its full money value will bear in mind that as assessment increases the rate decreaces, less opposition will be heard. This, however, sug- gests a matter which certainly calls for your most earnest consideration. The issuance of bonds by municipalities is limited to a per- centage of existing local assessments. If you so legislate that assessments will be materially increased, then you should consider the advis- ability of enacting a measure which will pre- vent the corresponding increase of municipal bonded indebtedness. ‘Would Raise Exemptions. I would recommend that an amendment be made placing the exemption on personal prop- erty at $100, as it has been for many years. This will be especially beneficial to the people of small means. ‘This suggestion, I am ad- vised, meets with the approval of the tax com- mission. I would also suggest that the bill be €o amended as to require the listing of property on May 1 rather than April 1, for the reason that‘the time to prepare for putting into opera- tion the new code, if it passes, probably will be too limited to make the necessary prepars- ns. Our grain men express the fear that the pro- posed code if put into operation, would be against their interests, and drive their busi- ness into Wisconsin. ‘By making the date of listing the same as in that state, and exempt- ing all grain in interstate transit, although temporarily stored in elevators, would place these interests upon an equal footing with those of our sister state. ‘This, in my judg- ment, should be done. All other grain except that in interstate transit is assessed and taxed in Wisconsin as other personal property, on May 1. This suggestion, I am also advised, meets with the approval of the tax commis- sion. Tonnage Tax. ‘The proposed code provides for the repeal of the vessel tonnage tax. In this respect allow me to make the following suggestions: Every good citizen takes pride in the com- mercial advancement of his state. It should be our policy to foster tendencies which prom- dse greater wealth and prosperity to any sec- tion of the st . Although remote geograph- ically from the seaboard, it is apparent, unless prevented by legislation, that this state may soon outstrip many of her rivals in the magni- tude of her shipping interests. The registra- tion of vessels navigating international waters at ‘the port of Duluth indicates that it is a favorite port. When we bear in mind that in- terstate tonnage is beyond the taxing power of the state, and that the revenues derived from @ tonnage tax upon vessels must always great- ly exceed what would arise from any other method applied to that class of property, it is apparent that the subject is one which calls for your most careful consideration. I trust, there- fore, that you will be able to enact legislation which, while not in violation of the constit tion, will preserve to the state advantages al- ready gained, and present no impediment to the growth of our influence over navigation ‘upon the Great Lakes. By request of the commission to revise our general laws I submit the following: Inasmuch as chapter 241 of the Laws of 1901, providing for the appointment by the justic2s of the supreme court of commissioners to revise, codify and annotate the existing gen- eral laws, expressly excludes from their con- sideration ‘‘statutes on the subject of taxa- tion,”’ and it is desirable that the revision, when completed, should contain all public laws, appropriwtely arranged, it would seem advisable that’ such legislation be had as will be conducive to that end. It is obvidus also that the work of the commissioners is of such character that it should not be unduly hurried. The legislation of the past thirty-five years has reached an enormous bulk, much of which is mow obsolete, and, on many subjects, re- dundant and contradictory. Only the most patient research and painstaking labor can re- ‘duce it.to that harmony which the public in- terests require. That the work may be con- tinued im such manner as to accomplish the best. results, action should be taken at the ‘present session. The commissioners will sub- mit for your consideration some suggestions on the subject, to which I invite your attention, ‘The entire matter now rests with you. It is for you to decide whether the work of your ‘tax commission will be vain or not. 1 ¢rut ‘and ‘have faith to believe, that your deliber tions, will result im great good te the state, and that a tax law will be placed upon the statute books that will equal, if not surpase, that of any other state in the Union. I am advised that the members of the tax commission, if desired, will at all times during your session be ready and willing to respond to your cafl and give you whatever assistance and information you may request. Northern Securities Company. At this time I desire to inform the legis- tature of the suit brought by the State of Min- nesota against the Northern Securities Com- pany of New Jersey. Believing that this cor- poration was organized for the purpose of evading and violating the laws of the State of Minnesota by consolidating the properties ot.the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railway companies, which companies own parallel and competing lines of railway within the state, I requested Attorney General Doug- las to bring suit in the name of the state to prevent such consolidation. That such con- solidation is against the law is clearly shown by reference to ur statutes. I quote from sections 2716 and 2717 of our General Statutes: “Sec. 2716, No railroad corporation shall consolidate with, lease or purchase, or in any way become owner of or control ‘any other railroad cerporation, or any stock, franchises, rights or property thereof, which owns or con- trols a parallel or competing line. “Sec. 2717. No railroad corporation, or the lessees, purchasers or managers of any rail- road corporation, shall consolidate the stock, property or franchises of, or in any way con- trol any other railroad corporation owning or having under {ts control a parallel or com- peting line; nor shall any officer of such rail- road corporation act as an officer of any other railroad corporation owning or having the con- trol of a parallel or competing line.’” ‘These laws have not only been held to be constitutional by the supreme court of the United States, but also to declare a wise public policy. . Purpose Is Merger. That the Northern Securities company can, and if not prevented by the courts will, merge or consolidate the Mnes and properties of the two railway companies under one management is evidenced by reference to sections 3 and 4 of the articles of incorporation of the Northern Securities company, which authorize this cor- poration “To purchase, hold, sell assign, trans- fer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of shares of the stock of any other corporation or corporatiohs, association or associations of the State of New Jersey, or any other state, terri- tory or country, and while owner of such stock to exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to vote there- on. To afd in any manner any corporation or association of which any bonds or other securi- ties or evidences of indebtedness or stock are held by the corporation; and to do any acts or things designed to protect, preserve, improve or enhance the value of any such bonds or other securities or evidences or indebtedness or stock." g “These powers are as broad as language can make them, and authorize the Northern Secu- rities company not only to vote the stock of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Rall- way companies, and thus exercise ali the pow- ers and privileges of ownership and control, but specifically empower the corporation to do any acts or things designed to enhance the value of the stock-of the companies mentioned which, of course, includes the right to increase freight rates directly, or to, change the classification of freight so as to increase the rates, Conference of Governors, Knowing that several other states in adat= tion to Minnesota would be affected by this consolidation, and that the declared public policy of such states, through constitutional or legislative provisions, was similar to that of | and that the official representatives of the various states were wholly in sympathy wi the action of this state and its determinatio} to oppose this consolidation ts shown by the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: “In our opinion the consolidation or threat- ened consolidation of the Great Northern. Northern Pacific and Burlington raflway sys- tems in the several states through which they run as parafiel and competing lines is contrary to sound public policy, and also, with the ex- ception of Idaho, ts in violation of the consti- tution or laws of said states, and mindful of the diiigation which the law imposes in such cases unon the officials of the several states here represented, we hereby give our unquall- fied approval and indorsement to any proper and suitable proceeding which may be insti- tuted in any court having jurisdiction by the sovereign State of Minnesota, or any other state affected thereby designated, designed and intended to speedily and finally test and detez- mine the validity of such consolidation or threatened consolidation. And further, we unanimously protest against any combination or consolidation which restricts or stifles free competition in the trade or commerce of the country.”* Suit in Sapreme Court. It was determined, owing to the importance of the case, and for the purpose of getting the matter disposed of at as early a date as pos- sible, to bring the suit in the supreme court of the United States in the first instance. The question of original jurisdiction in that court was argued on Jun. 27, 1902, by Attorney Gen- eral Douglas and one of his associate counsel, Hon. M. D. Munn, The application to file the bill was cpposed by the Northern Securities company, and some of the ablest corporation lawyers in New York, New Jersey and Penn- sylvania appeared in behalf of that corpora~ tion. If the supreme court does not take juris- diction it is the intention of the attorney gen- eral to at once bring suit in the state courts, and every effort will be made to speedily have the case reached in the court of last resort, where it must finally be disposed of. Neither this company, nor any other company, com- bination, consolidation or trust shall violate the laws of our state if it can be prevented. ‘What the final decision will be it is difficult to foretell, but it does not seem possible that a New Jersey corporation, no matter what its capitalization, will be permitted to violate the laws of the sovereign State of Minnesota. If the final decision should be against the state the battle is not then lost. There is one rem- edy that never fails and which is more 5 preme even than the supreme court. I. quote the words of Judge Brewer in an address made at the bi-centennial of Yale college, in which he said, speaking of trusts and the inability of the courts to crush them, ‘Appeal must be taken to the great court of public opinion, whose decrees are irresistible. In that court every man is counsel and every man Is judge.’’ Commends Attorncy General. It is @ pleasure to commend Attorney Gen- eral Douglas for the able and efficient manner in which he has endeavored to vindicate our laws. I learn from him that the enactments upon our statute books, and which are quoted above are ample, and that no additional legis- lation is required at this time, but if, during your session, any further legislation should be needed I will immediately communicate such fact to you. While you have been called to- gether solely for the purpose of considering the tax code, yet in view of the extraordinary. ex- penses attending this suit, and the great array of legal talent in opposition, I would suggest that a spfficient sum of money be placed at the disposal of the legal department to employ as- sociate counsel to properly continue the litiga- tion and meet the expenses necessarily con- nected therewith. Befors closing I desire to congratulate you upon the splendid record made during the last session. You received, and justly merited, the approvaP of the people of your state., Your acts were uniformly in the interest of the com- monwealth you so loyally represent. I doubt not that your deliberations and acts during this session will be equally meritorious, and that you’will again receive the approval of a grate- ful public. DETECTING BAD MONEY. Bank Clerks Identify It, Often With- out Comprehending Just Why. It seems wonderful to the casual ob- server that cashiers, bank tellers and others who handle large amounts of pa- per money are able, at a glance, to detect a bad note. Exactly what it is that does expose the counterfeit the best experts find it difficult to tell. They say they know it instinctively. They judge not only by the looks of the note, but by the “feel” of it. It is obvious that a coun- terfeit note must be widely circulated to make it profitable. No sooner does & counterfeit appear than its description is widely published. Those who are likely to suffer by taking counterfeit notes make it their business to be on the lookout for new ones, which are soon distinguishable by some easily discovered mark. ‘A teller knows of just what denomina- tion are the counterfeits, and just where to look for the telltale marks. He de- tects the spurious notes as easily as the reader does a misspelled word. It is no particular effort. It is a habit. The prin- cipal reason why counterfeits are so easily detected is because in some feature they are almost uniformly of inferior quality This is, indeed, the main protection of tne public. Genuine notes are engraved and printed almost regardless of cost, and the very best materials are used in the en graving and printing. It is done in large establishments, with costly materials, and by the best workmen. It is practica:- ly impossible for counterfeiters to do as well. They must work in secret and at a disadvantage, and of necessity cannot have the experience to produce such per- fect work. If they get the engravings done nicely they fail in the printing, of if they get the engraving and printing done well they fail in securing the proper pa- per. | Of late years there has been a great deal of care taken to get paper manu- factured expressly for the notes issued by the government. The national bank notes are also issued by the government, so that the sources of supply for exactly that kind of paper are controlled.—Kansas City Star. Rivals Scotch Granite. Donegal now threatens the supremacy of Scotland in the matter of granite. Ex- perts who have been paying extended visits of inspection in the neighborhood of Dungloe, in West Donegal, report im- mense formations of granite, which for variety of shade, durability and general beauty are said to rival the famous prod- ucts of Aberdeen. and Peterhead. The Dungloe granite, it is stated, embraces Almost every variety of color and texture, the predominating shade being red and flesh-colored stones of medium and coarse grain. Of the familiar gray granite there is also a wonderful variety, comprising stones of all shades from the lightest to the darkest tones. Some of the finer grained rock has a light warm tone from the intermixed _buff-colored felspar. A still more beautiful variety of stone which is found in Dungloe is the very dark micaceous granite, closely re- sembling the handsome “‘Labrador,"” with which many London buildings are pil- lared. When it is remembered that one firm alone in America imports £19,000 worth of. polished granite yearly from Aberdeen, and that the demand for the highest class stone in all shades is ever on the increase, there shoulé be thriving times for West Donegal in the near fu- ture.—London Express. Power of the Press. Famous Scientist ((excitedly—Some- thing must be done to stop the spread of the opium habit among women, Great Editor (calmly)—Very well, sir; Tll put in a pragraph saying that a hankering for opium is a sign of old age:—New York Weekly, i : 3 a ee ae a pene ht racer agen oii ci tg i ig a CRISIS AT HAND ROOSEVELT, JR., IS PUTTING UP A ‘ HARD FIGHT AGAINST DISEASE, SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT NOTICED BULLETINS ON HIS CONDITION RUN BETWEEN HOPE AND FEAR, LAD IS CERTAINLY NO WORSE Goon Isis WELL EQUIPPED FOR A STRUGGLE WHEN THE © COMES. Groton, Mass., Feb. 13.—The reports from the sick room of Theodore Roose- velt, Jr., the oldest son of the president, who, since Thursday last, has been ill with pneumonia at the Groton school infirmary, tended to show an improye- ment, and at 8 o'clock last night his condition was authoritatively stated to b= better than it was at the same time the night before. The crisis of the disease is still to come, and is looked for within the next twenty-four or thirty-six hours. The president and his wife believe their son will meet this crisis in good shape, and, passing it successfully, will recover. In fact the slight favorable turn in the disease yesterday has greatly relieved the strain on both of them, and the day closed much more cheerfully than Monday. Still, the reports issued through Mr. Cortelyou, secretary to the president, ran between * Hope and Fear. Beginning with the morning when the boy, after an admittedly hard night, was reported as improved, although pleurisy in the right lung was men- tioned, this favorable tendency was continued through the noon statement. Then at 2:45 o’clock in the afternoon it was stated that the boy's temperature had risen, that it would probably re- main high, and if anything increase a little toward morning. This somber tone seemed almost to neutralize the morning’s encouraging notes. ‘The next report, at 6:30 in the even- ing, showed that notwithstanding the high temperature the boy had more than held his own all day, and that his condition was favorable. Hopefulness was inereased by an additional and vol- urtary report on Mr. Cortelyou’s part at § o'clock, that the lad was in better cendition than at the same time the night bef although he said there Had Not Been Much Change during the day—meaning that the fa- vorable condition of the morning had been practically maintained. All these reports were authoritative, and in addition there was a cheery in- terview with Secretary of the Navy John D. Long after a hurried visit of ceurtesy to his chief, in which he frank~ ly said that the boy was better. To confirm this came the president’s sudden appearance a little later in the afternoon at the new sporting dome, a recreation house built by Mr. Gardner adjoining his own mansion. The pres- ident was dressed in a suit of flannels and seemed ready for some exercise on the new squash court. He did not play, however, although he remained in the sunny building nearly two hours watch- ing a game between Mrs. James Law- rence and Rev. Sherwood Billings. BIG ROAR LIKELY. American Citizens Are Persecuted By Officials of Eevador. Washington, Feb. 13—The state de- partment is all stirred up over the re- ports of the persecution ef American citizens by local officials at Guayaquil, Ecuador. Several reports on the sub- ject have come by mail and telegraph from Perry M. De Leon, the United States consul general at Guayaquil who has not minced words in denounc- ing the conduct of the local authorities. Mr. De Leon's story of the affair fully confirms the press reports that Ameri- can citizens have been blackmailed and robbed. He has urged the state depart- ment to take some action that will put a stop to the indignities. No report in regard to the conditions at Guayaquil has been received at the department from Archibald J, Samp- son, the United States minister to Ecua- dor, but the department apparently has reason to believe that he is making an investigation of Mr. Le Leon's allega- tions. There is a disposition among officials here to regard the consul gen- eral’s report as somewhat exaggerated and, in fact, to believe that he has gone too far in his rigorous protests against th> treatment accorded his fellow coun- trymen. The department has asked Minister Sampson, who is at Quito, to send a detailed report of the alleged outrages, MORMONS DEFY LAWS. . Ministerial Alliance Says That It Has Positive Evidence Agdinst the Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 13. — The ministerial alliance of Salt Lake has unanimously adopted the report of the committee of that organization appoint- ed to investigate and report on the al- reged practice and teaching of polyg- amy by the Mormons. This report is to be used as a petition for the passage of a constitutional amendment prohibiting pelygamy, and will be sent to the ju- diciary committee of congress. The report sets forth that positive evidence can be produced that polygamy is both practiced and taught by the Mormons, in open defiance of the laws, of the state. . STARVED AMID PLENTY. . After Miser's Death Bank Books Are Found Showing Large Deposits. . Buffalo, Feb. 13.—Fowler T. Broad- head, seventy-five years old, one of the leading educators of this city, died yesterday from starvation and expos- ure although bank books found in his miseratle living rooms showed balances to his credit amounting to thousands of doliars. Broadhead had lived the life of a ‘recluse for a number of years. brooding over imaginary troubies and denying himself the bare necessities of dite. A GHASTLY CRIME, San Francisco Stastled by a Murder Similar to Durant Case. San Francisco, Feb. 11.—A mysterious murder resembling in some of its features the noted Durant case is now puzzling the police department of this city. The body of Nora Fuller, a six- teen-year-old girl who disappeared from her home Jan. 11, was found lying naked on a bed in the upstairs back room of an unfurnished house at 22!t Sutter street yesterday. The girl had been dead some time as decomposition had begun. There was nothing in the house to indicate the means used to taka her life, but the posture of the body and its condition, together with the disorder of the room, indicate that the girl was murdered. An autopsy discnlosed that death was not due to natuaral causes. All the organs of the body are in normal condition. The gen- eral theory is that the girl was either strangled or poisoned. On both sides of the neck are discolorations which may have been Made by Finger Tips. The city chemist is examining the stom- ach for evidences of poison. Nora Full- er left home Jan. 11, and met a man known as John Bennett in response to an advertisement for a girl to take care of a baby. She met the man at @ restaurant, and thereafter all knowl- edge of her was lost. On Jan. 8 the house in which the body of the girl was found, was rented by a man giving the name of C. B. Hawkins. The general descriptions of Bennett and Hawkins tally, and it is thought that the two names were aliases of the same man. Both Bennett and Hawkins are said to have been thirty-five or forty years old, about six feet in height and weigh- ing about 175 pounds. Each wore @ brownish red mustache. Bennett wore clerical clothes and claimed to have studied for the ministry. The police are working on the theory that they were the same men. A possible motive for the murder is found in the sug gestion that the murderer either quar- reled with the girl, or feared his rela* tions with her were about to become public. LIKE RATS IN A TRAP. Eleven Persons Lose Their Lives in a Lodging House Fire. St. Louis, Feb. 11.—An early mornings fire which destroyed the Empire hotel, a large three-story lodging house at 2700 and 2702 Olive street, occupied by men exclusively, caused the death of eleven persons, ten men and one wo- man, and dangerously injured eight others. Ten or more who had narrow escapes from death in the fire were more or less injured by being frost+ bitten. It is estimated that there were between thirty-five and forty persons in the building, and it is believed all have been accounted for. The financial loss is nominal. It is thought that $30,000 will ccver the damage to building and contents, which was totally destroyed. The fire started at about 3:20 a. m., when kut few persons were abroad, and gained considerable headway before it was discovered and the alarm given. There was considerable delay in turning the alarm in, and when the engines finally reached the scene, the whole front of the building was in flames and the interior was A Seething Farnace. By that time all who escaped death had gotten out of the building by jumping from the windows or climbing down ropes made of bed clothes. A few es- eaped from the ground floor through the front door. Some of the escapes were very narrow. Almost everybody who got out suffered some injury or was frost-bitten. The guests barely had time to get out when aroused, the flames had spread so rapidly. Some saved their clothing. which they carried in their hands, but others were not SO fortunate, losing everything. After some delay nearby houses were opened to the unfortunates and they were given shelter. It was one of the coldest nights of the winter, the ground being covered with ice and snow. After a short fight the firemen got the flames under con- trol and, assisted by the police, imme- diately began the work of rescue. The bodies of most of the victims were found in their rooms, where they were suffocated or burned. BIG PIER DESTROYED. Fire Causes Damage Estimated at £250,000. | New York, Feb. 11.—Fire destroyed pier G of the Lehigh Valley Railroad company yesterday morning and the loss, including damage to shipping, is $250,000. The fire was discovered short- ly after 6 o’clock by an employe who gave the alarm to the department in Jersey City. The heat started the au- tomatic extinguishing apparatus and the force of twentyfive men at work on the pier did everything in their power to prevent a spread of the flames. A strong northwest wind made the work difficult and the fire rapidly gained headway. Fire tugs fought valiantly from the riverside, but the city fire de- partment was obliged to drive over @ mile of railroad tracks. to reach the pier, which was doomed before the de- partment reached it. . CHILDREN SUFFOCATED. Cut Of From Escape by a Fire in Their Father’s House. New York, Feb. 11.—Jennie and Elsie Berlinger, aged eight and six years re- spectively, children of Dr. R. Berlinger, were suffocated and died wi*e a fire was in progress at their father’s resi- dence in this city yesterday. The chil- dren were in their room on the top floor when the fire was discovered, and all efforts to reach their room were un- availing. > PREACHER IN ARRESTED. | Charged With Betne an Embezzler and a Fugitive Crom Justice. _ Indianapolis, Feb. 11, — Rev, Amos Messier, a Seventh Day Adventist preacher of Marion, {nd., was arrested yesterday charged with being a fugitive from justice. He was later taken by an officer to Huntington, Ind., where he is wanted on the charge of embezzling be- twecn $6,900 and $7,000 from his brother, Israel] Messier, a farmer. He gave up a& large part of the money last night. j a } | t ——}