Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, March 11, 1895, Page 2

M THE OMAMA DAILY BREH. MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1893 fluenced more by the hope that the bill provid. ing for but one secretary would become a law. There I8 no hope for the passage of the bill, and s it may be safely predicted that the two salaries lopped off by the ways and means committee will be restored by the legislature. The ways and means committee has rec- ommended no appropriation for the expenses of printing the governor's proclamation pre- vious to the last election. There fs a material saving in the appro- priations recommended for a number of the state institutions. The most notable instance 18 that of the State Hospital for the Insane at Lincoln, where the committee makes reduction of $29,200, The saving is effected | by making a reduction of $2,000 for employes® | wages, $15,000 for board and clothing, $5,000 for fuel and lights, $1,500 for furniture and bedding, and upon other smaller items. That the Lancaster delegation will make a hard | fight to increase all these items is already | a foregone conclusion | Another notable decrease s in the amount recommended for the state penitentiary, the saving being $2 is effected easily enough, for two years ago there was appro priated nearly $20,000 for improvements not necestary this year. The only item denfed | the penitentiary by the ways and means | committes was one for $10,000 for general | repairs SOME NOTABLE INCREASES With all its saving upon the total amounts recommended, however, the ways and means committee has been . extremely liberal to some of the state officers and to the state Institutions. The secretary of state gets an increase of $2,250; the auditor, $7,100; the treasurer, $1,800; the Board of Public Lands and Buildings, $2,100, Among the state institutions the Peru Normal school comes in for an increase of 2,700, the Asylum for Incurable Insane at Hastings, $6,700; the Norfolk asylum, $1,650; the Kearney Industrial school, $18,200; the Institute for the Deaf at Omaha, $21,527; the Soldiers and Sailors' Home, $8,420. The State Board of Agriculture receives the same sum given it two years ago, while the State Horticultural society receives an inerease of $1,400 and the State Dairymen's assoclation an increase of $2,000, There is a heavy increase in the appropria- tions recommended by the ways and means committes for miscellaneous items. This in- crease is occasioned by tha addition of an item of $180,101 to reimburse the state sinking fund for the amount tied up in the Capital National bank. Tho above analysis will be far from con- vineing the taxpayers of the state that any decreaso will be made In the total appropria tions under two years ago. On the surface there is a slight decrease, but it must be remembercd that there are a number of large ftems not included in the above tabulation For Instance, the legislature has already ap- propriated $50,000 for the drouth sufferers and tho house lias passed a bill making an addi- tional appropriation of $200,000. The friends of this latter bill claim to have twenty-one votes with which to pass it through the senate, and it may thus be fairly presumed that the total appropriation for the drouth sufferers will amount to $250,000. The committee on claims has already troduced a bill, house roll No. 612 mending an appropriation for the pa 435 scparate claims filed with the auditor during the past two years. These claims are for the payment of bounties on wild animals, ' fees for the return of tugitives from Justice, s’ fees for conveying convicts to the s penitentiary and juvenile offenders to reform schools, and for the ex- penses of the special county treasury examin- ers. These claims foot up to a total of $30,095. In addition to this, the claims committee 19 simply overwhelmed with claims of every description, many of them being tne legacies of ex-Secretary of State J. C. Allen. None of the claims for legislative supplies, for paper- ing, cleaning and painting the state capitol, carpets, furniture, etc., ordered last December by Allen, for printing and incidental expenses, for fuel and lights for the state capitol during the session, and for miscellaneous claims en- tirely too numerous to mention, have been allowed yet. The expenses of the maximum rate trial are also leit out of consideration in the above estimate. So, without figuring upon an increase of a single item In the general appropriation bills, it is certain that the total amount to be drawn from the state treasury during the ‘mext two years will exceed, at the lowest cal- culation, $300,000 the amount appropriated two years ago. The question to be determined during the onsuing ten or twelve days is, will the legislature stand solidly for the recommenda- tions of the ways and means committee, or will the friends of the state institutions com- blne to make large increases? If the latter solution is presented, the appropriations will Tun dangerously near the $3,000,000 mark. ONE IMPORTANT OMISSION. Up to the present time the ways and means committee has made a most important omlssion in its recommendations. Two years ago the legislature placed at the disposal of the governor $10,000 to be used in defray- ing the expenses of the suit brought by the state to recover the $235,000 lost in the Capital National bank failure. The litigation thus “authorized has been dragging slowly and painfully during the past fifteen months, First sult was Institute? fn the district court in and for Douglas county. The de- cision of Judge Davis threw the case out of that district court for lack of jurisdiction. Then an appeal was taken to the supreme court, where Judge Davis was sustained. Then the supreme court was applied to for an order granting permission to try the case before the supreme court without going through the district courts of Lancaster county. The order was granted and the case set for last fall. A postponement was se- cured until January, and then the death of one of the bondsmen, John Fitzgerald, occa- sloned another delay. The case Is about ready for trial and may be taken up within a few weeks, possibly at the sitting of the court next week, Of the $10,000 originally appropriated but $1,600 has been expended, leaving a balance in the state treasury of $8,500. Although the expenses of the coming trial before the supreme court will be heavy, it is belleved that $8,600 will be amply sufiicient to pay all_alalms. But the $5,600 still unexpended will, under operation of law, revert back to the treasury on April 1. It will be necessary, In the Judgment of many, for the legislature to Tenew the appropriation. Such was the judg- ment of the legislature two years when it reappropriated the unexpended balance of $14,546 In the World’s fair fund. s ZRAIN ROBBING NOT PKOFITABLE in- recom- yment of Two Texas Men Do a Wholessle but Capture Little Booty. ST. LOUIS, March 10.—Superintendent Gro- ver B. Simpson of the Wells Fargo Express company arrived here from Southwest City, Mo., where he has been superintending the hunt for the robber companion of *Jim Cummins,” the desperado who held up the *Frisco train near Aurora, Mo, February 22, Agents of the railroad and express company are trailing the man, and Mr. Simpson ex- presses the conviction that he will be cap- tured, Cummins gave a brief history of him- self. Ho sald his real name was Joshua Craft, was born at Briar, Tex., and would be 21 next June. He led ‘the life of cowboy in Texas until last July, when he made the acquaintance of a man named Wilson at Paris, Tex., and with him went to Claremore, I T. where they worked for a time and then ‘went Into the train robbing business, Thelr first attempt was on the 'Frisco on No- Vember 12, 1894, in which they secured $2.50 and thirty watches. Their next holdup & Rock Island train tn the Indian Territory on November 23, 1804, recciving very little booty, Ou the 31st of December last they held up a train on the Queen & Crescent road near Livingston, Ala., securing only $18, They held up a train on the Cotton Belt road pear McNeill, Ark., January 24. From Me- | Nelll they made their way across the state into Missourl, aud on February 22 held up | train No. 1 on the 'Frisco road near Aurors, Mo., and secured $58 and a watch. The rob. hers were on n':.-tr way to Texas when they ‘were run onto by the officers and the youn, robber captured. . ng Was Justified. ONVILLE, Mo., March 10.—The elope. ment about a year ago of Al Todd, a negro, ith the daughter of City Marshal William | 'k (white), led to murder early this ning. The couple returned yesterday to woman's home to remain” during her | confinement. Upon the promise that Todd nover show himself again Clark told | him to i a8 he did not want to give the | case publicity. At a late hour last night, | ever, Tadd went to Clark's home and | ihe latter up. Clark o him y, but Instead of going he drew a re in a_menacing manner. when Clark him. Todd ran wbout a hlock aud fell At the coroner's inquest Clark was exonerated. INSURANCE FIGURES JUGCLED How Interested Persons Have Sought to Mislead the Legislature, METHODS OF UNDERWRITERS EXPOSED 1. 0. Beatty States the Facts About the Valued Policy Law and Declares it Has Not Increased th ard in This State. OMAHA, March 6.—To the Editor of The Bee: As a vigorous effort is belng made by the insurance. companies, through their local representatives, to secure from the present legislature the repeal of tbe valued policy law in this state, a few facts regarding the operation of insurance in Nebraska for the past ten years may be of interest. The in- surance lobby at Lincoln is earnestly plying every member of the legislature with an array of statistics to prove that there has been an “alarming increase of the loss rate,” and that the valued policy law is wholly respon- sible for it, in that it has so greatly in- creased the moral hazard of insurance. In thelr demonstrations the underwriters in- variably figure from the basis of ‘“ratio of losses incurred to premiums received,” and then draw the conclusion that the increase of the loss rate is wholly due to the “‘incen- tive to incendiarism’ and the “premium on arson” offered by this law. Looking at it from that standpoint even Auditor Moore says in his last report that he “can’t resist the conclusion® that such has been the effects of that law. The difficulty arises from the fact that the underwriters from intent, and the casual ob- scrver from lack of thought and investiga- tion, figure entirely from a false basis, and their “irresistible conclusions’ are therefore crroneous, The astute underwriter invari- ably bases his computations upon the ratio of loss to premiums received, and is also careful to use the “losses incurred” column instead of the “losses paid” when presenting his figures to the public, and the casual reader accepts his sophistry as an incon- testable fact CONVICTED BY THEIR OWN MOUTHS. The sworn statement of the companies doing business Ir this state, as filed with the auditor of state, proves conclusively the falsity of their premise and the error of the conclusion drawn therefrom. A proper analysis of these reports will prove con- clusively to the mind of any impartial reader that the increase of moral hazard has not been as ‘“alarming’ as insurance writers have portrayed It, and that insurance companies in Nebraska are not suffering any hardships or injustice from the operation of the valued policy law. Their base of reck- oning is radically wrong, from the fact that premium and loss bear no ratio relations whatever to each other. They represent unlike quantities and therefore no true ratio can exist between them. The premium upon an insurance policy Is not the contract be- tween the company and the insured, but is simply the compensation pald by the insured for the contract. It Is not based upon the loss covered by the policy, but upon the pre- sumption that no loss will be incurred. It i3 the price of a hazard that the company will not be called on to pay the indemnity named in_the policy. In insurance all premiums are supposed to be based upon the risk assumed, and all losses must be computed upon the same basis, The rate of premiums varies ac- cording to the degree of physical hazard involved, competition enforced and many other contingencies consequent upon the business of fire insurance, while the loss, if any, is fixed by the specific terms of the contract. In the adjustment of a loss the measure of damage is by no means figured upon the. premium paid, but upon the face value of the risk assumed. To arrive at the true ratio of increase or decrease of the loss rate for any given period the computation must be made upon the volume of risks carried and not upon the volume of premiums received. This propo- sition will commend itself to the unbiased judgment as the only true and correct basis for computing the increase of the loss rate. Underwriters, by their method of figuring, drop from their calculations the very im- portant feature of the increase of the risks assumed. FIGURES THAT SHOW FACTS. For the intelligent and thoughtful study of this subject by the readers of The Bee I have compiled a complete synopsis of the Insurance business of Nebraska for the past ten years, making a comparative showing of business for five years preceding the enactment of the valued policy law with the five years under its operation. These figures are ob- tained from the sworn statements of the companies themselves, as filed with the auditor, the computations of ratios and aver- ages being wholly based thereon: =EET 222 P 4 H * pariodany sojuvduion 8¥C 91T 101 |88 { | ott Fo BICWITOR $IFR 83 i 0068 $[¥6 K168 101 cIRORLTS oL Gon0ncen {18 ¥R TR ISTR0IS qIOMOINE SVAL MV GHL HELAV $/60 6393058 16 S00°6ES'0RIS < TH0'CB1'6308 ‘uSRHM SASIH “poatadI swnjweld © SUS'ETH' 1S £ HOY'E00'18 169 T6Y'6IN68 00 18 a9 wnyut ~0dd 40 DIua AV A0I10d Q4N'IVA GHY, GHOJAs S SOR'ST0'TE, ) 66 16L'C0V'E8 (5D o8 98 TRe 198 OFTT6Y “PIATON SN o s8] 30 ojivy 188y 818 1901 UM SANTH 01 who[ 10 o WHAT THESE FIGURES MEAN. I desire o call the reader's attention to a few prominent facts, conclusively proven by above table, that completely refute all s against the valued policy law: ' hat instead of companies withdrawing fram the state, as threatened by reason of the enactment ‘of that law, the number of companies doing business in this state has lly increased from an average of ninety- four during the fAirst perfod to 110 during the past five years. The risks written increased from $80,248,512.64 in 1884, to $138,271,391.60 in 1892, or from an average volume of risks of $89.204,370.75 for the first five years, to $125,839,008.91 during the five years of the operation of the law, an anaual average in- crease In the volume of risks written of 41 per cent. 3. The 2000 rate of premium gradually de- | ereased from $2.07 per $100 in 1885 to $1.50 per $100 in 1893. The average rate of premium per $100 for the first period $1.80, and for the five years following the enactment of the law the average premium rate has only been $1.53 per $100, a decline in premium rates of 27 cents per $100, or 2.7 mills on the dollar. As a result of this decline, while the average yearly increase of ritks wrilten has been 41 per cent, the average yearly increase in the volume of premiums recelved has only been 20 per cent. In other words, the increase In the average yearly volume of premiums re- celved lacks 21 per cent of keeping pace - four years. with the yearly average assumed. 4. The losses incurred exceed the losses pald during the period of ten years by the sum of $242365.50, or an average annual excess of $24,236.55, which amount, I sup pose, represents the annual value of the brass and bulldozing of adjusters 5. Taking thelr own favorite basia of computation—viz.: “Ratio of loss Incurred to premiums recelved"—we find that the average annual ratio of loss for the first five years was 31.28 per cent, while the “alarming Increase” under the valued policy law has only brought the ratio up to 48.87 per cent—an {ncrease of only 17.59 per cent instead of 75 or 100 per cent, as claimed by the underwriters. On the true basis of computation, however—viz: the ratio of loss pald to risks written—the reader will ob- serve that from 1884 to 1888, inclusive, the average annual ratio of loss was 65 mills on the dollar, while under the valued policy law, for a like period of time, the ratio has been 7.8 mills on the dollar, or a net average increase of 2.3 mills on the dollar, a fraction less than one-fourth of 1 per cent Not such an “alarming increase of the loss rate” after all, when you stop to consider that the average decrease in premium rates for the same period was 2.7 mills on the dollar of risks written, or four-tenths of a mill in_excess of the Increase of the loss rate. Thus it will be seen that the “alarm ing increase of the loss rate” on account of the “premium placed on arson” by the val- ued policy law amounts to four-tenths of a mill on the dollar less than the voluntary reduction of premium rate, with which the law has nothing whatever to do. How do our friends on the other side of this dis cussion account for that fact? That the volume of loss has largely in- creased during the past five years I admit, and the increase is fully shown in the table herewith submitted. But it must be borne in mind also that the volume of risks written has also increased very materfally, and that while there has also been an increase in the volume of premium receipts, yet, owing to the reduction referred to, this increase has fallen far short of the pace of increase set by the other two elements of insurance. HAS NOT INCREASED THE HAZARD. What I claim, and what I think I have proven conclusively, is that the valued poliey law has not increased the moral hazard of insurance in this state one fota, and the only manner in which it has affected the loss rate at all fs that it has simply compelled the companies to comply with their part of the contract, and in case of total loss pay the full amount of indemnity for which they had accepted premium from the insured. Whatever increase of moral hazard there has been during the past five years is, T be- lieve, due wholly to the conditions of the times and not in any degree to legislation From 1884 to 1888 inclusive this country was blessed with good crops and a general era of prosperity. Business interests were prosperous, employment amply sufficient to meet all demands of labor, and money cir- culated freely; while the five years follow- ing the enactment of the valued policy law have been peculiarly disastrous upon busi- Three of the five years have wit- almost a total crop failure in thi state, while the crisis of 1893 has had an unprecedented depressing effect upon all lines of business. In consequence of these condi- ticns there is no doubt but that the friction of a heavy insurance policy against a de- preciated property or an unprofitable busi- ness has produced a great deal of “spontaneous combustion’ in this country during the past two or three years, from which Insurance companies have suffered severely. But the valued policy law should not and cannot be held responsible for the depressed conditions of the times and the general lack of prosperity from which the country is suffering. Furthermore, that latv applies only to the insurance of real property and not to merchandise and other personal property, and I venture the assertion that by far the larger part of the increase of the loss rate comes from personal property risks and that the increase of moral hazard is directly chargeable to the 80 per cent In- surance clause adopted by the companies themselves. There was no valued policy law prior to 1889 in this state, yet in the report of the auditor of public accounts for the year 1890, on page 417, I find a table which shows that the ratio of loss to premiums recelved in the year 1880 was 78 per cent, which exceeds the highest ratio since that time by 14 per cent. Yet ‘“moral hazard” was scarcely hinted at-by the underwriters until after the enactment of a valued policy law. Why this sudden change? The fact is that the moral hazard was far greater under the old methods of insurance, when agents would plaster a risk with ali the policies that the insured could be induced to pay for, regard- less of the value of the property insured, and the companies in case of Joss would bulldoze the unfortunate owner into any sort of a settlement they pleased under threats of incendiarism by reason of over-insurance. H. 0. BEATTY. ATTACK ON THE VALUED POLICY LAW. Increase of risks South Omaha Packers Explode an Argu- ment Used by the Insurance Lobby. A circular issued by the insurance lobby contained a somewhat exhaustive argument in favor of the repeal of the ‘“valued policy” law passed by the Nebraska legislature in 1889, The points made are those that have become familiar in tho discussion of the subject during the last As a cracker to the summing up of propositions with which the circular con- cludes 18 this paragraph: “It prevents large corporations, such as the packing houses of South Omaha and other large plants of like character, from procuring insurance to cover actual property in sight and ot good market value, because of the fact that the insurance companies now doing business in this state cannot afford to carry such large risks alone, and other good com- panles that would be willing to insure these plants will not do so, owing to the fact of the existence of this unjust law.” Last evening packing house managers were asked as to the truth of this charge. Mr. Bdward Cudahy of Cudahy’s said: “There is no truth whatever in it. We have no trouble in gelting all the insurance we want, and the ‘valued policy’ law does not affect us in the least, unless it be that its operation s such as to cause Insurance com- panies to raise rates. The packing houses have no definite objection to the law." Sald Manager A. C. Foster of Swift's: “We can get all the insurance for which we are willing to pay. While we usually insure for 80 per cent, we could insurc for the entire value of our property if we chose to do 80." Manager Noyes for Hammond sald there was nothing in tho operation of the law that prevented his company from easily obtaining insurance for actual value if it chose to carry that. ———e NEW STYLE OF €U DENCE GAME Advertised for a Housekeeper and Thel Stole the Applicant's Trunks. BALTIMORE, March 10.—Detective Gault returned yesterday from York, Pa., where he arrested James Clark, alias James Lewis, allas J. Templeton, charged with swindling Mrs, Sadie Fields of this city out of two trunks and contents, valued In all at $00, Clark came to this city some weeks ago and advertised in the papers for a housekeeper to take charge of his house at Los Angeles at $0 a month. He received about 250 replies, and among these was Mrs. Flelds, who was en- gaged by Clark. Shé sold her household Boods and ‘with the $300 secured bought clothing, which she packed in two trunks. On Wednesday last, the day before she was to start for the west, Clark obtained the trunks under pretense’ that he was to ship them west. Ho disappeared and detectives were put on his track. One trunk was re- covered in this city and the other was found in Clark's posession at York, whei he indignantly denied the charge, until proof was produced. He is an elderly man with a rather clerical appearance. Letters in his pockets show that he has advertised in the papers of other cities. Tram Kobbers still at Large, SACRAMENTO, Cal, March 10.—There have been no developments in regard to the pursuit of the bandits who held up the train near Stockton on Friday night. Two posses are in pursuit of the robbers, who, the officers believe, cannot elude them, elafming that every avenue of escape is guarded. A house in the outskirts of the city where it it thought two of the men reside was shad- owed all last night, but without result. Vurial of & South Dakots Plonesr. ELK POINT, 8. D., March 10.—Henry D, Doane, one of the early pioneers of South Dakota, was burled here today. In his outh he was & stage dri and during he war served in the First Minnesota in- fantry. | You PAID T0 "..fllyl’LOY EXPERTS ) Their fervicss Came High but the Gov- ernnight is the Gainer, SALARY ACCQUNT, REDUCED $607,591 nereased Safety and Raphdity Secured in Transacting the Government Business imployes Have Done Well Get- ting Jobs for Relatiy WASHINGTON, March 10.—A review of the work done by the Dockery joint commis- sion of congress, created for the purpose of Inquiring into and examining the status of the law organizing the executive depart ments, has been printed. The greater num ber of the recommendations of the com- mittee, so far as they have been put into practical operation, have from time to time been made public. The review shows that the entire cost of the commission aggregated $41,964, while the actual annual reductions in the government expenditures, made as result of its work, amount to $607,501. “The reduction,” the review continues, “ls not for the time being only, but will con tinue through each of the coming years. The commission, however, feels that the expe dition of public business and added security to the government in its methods of ac counting _under the new systems inaugur ated would have fully justified its existence, cven if there had been no diminution in ex penses.”” A census of the departments gath- ered at the direction of the commission discloses the fact that in the executive de partments and other government establish- ments at the national capital there are em- ployed 17,999 persons, and that of the whole number employed 5,610 have from one to nine relatives each in the government serv lee at Washington The commission also reporfed a concurrent resolution which provided for the engross- ment and enrolling of congressional acts by printing, which received the approval of both houses, and the commission says its value from the standpoint of both accuracy and economy Is illustrated by the fact that not a single error has occurred under the system up to this time, Much spaco Is given to a recital of the benefits .which the review asserts have been accomplished as a result of the new account- ing system In the treasury, recommended by the commission and subsequently incorporated In a bill approved by the president July 31, 1894. The estimated annual saving from this reform is put at $239430. The recom- mendations made by the:commission and not acted on relate to the re-organization of o office of the supervising architect, con- sted land cases, repeal of the land contest act, transfer of duties of receivers of land offices, public surveys, abolition of the office of solicitor of internal revenue, bonds of government officials, checking of money crders, abolition of naval officers at all ports and the establishment of a substitute there- for in New York, and writing official lette These reforms, the “commission estimates would effect an annudl saving of §449,929. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMEN1 BUREAU. Postotlice Department in Luxembourg Acts A8 the Agent. WASHINGTON, March 10.—The United States consul at Luxembourg outlines the scheme of an international labor exchang which has proven very beneficial in that grand duchy in facllitating the employment of labor. It was instituted in 1892, and every postoffice co-operates in the transmis- sion of offers and applications for employ- ment between wage earners and wage payers. Offers are addressed to the nearest postoffice on postal cards.. The applications ars regi: tered, and are publicly posted in all post- offices, in rallway stations and public houses. The postoffice assumes no responsibility in the business beyond the transmission and posting of applications and offers. The post- master informs an applicant by postal card when an offer of employment is received. A statement attached shows that during two years there were recelved through this sye. tem 1,904 applications for employment, and 1,701 of these secured plac:s. During the same time 3,514 employers applied for help and engaged 4,472 persons, Demand for Keady Made Housns in Italy. WASHINGTON, March 10.—United States Consul Bruhl at Catalonia, Italy, has di covered a fine market for ready built Amer- fcan frame houses of from two to five T oms, well braced, of low price. The recent and frequent earthquakes in Sicily and Cat lonia have destroyed many buildings poorly braced. To begin with, after making in- quiries, the consul is convinced that the people’ would readily adopt the American structures as better calculated to resist shocks. A member of the roval earthquake commission has Interested himself in the subject, and the consul s anxious to obtain illustrated catalogues from the American manufacturers to lay before the commission. Eelipse Observations n Fatlove. WASHINGTON, March 10.—Preparations were made at the observatory and other places in Washington to observe the total eclipse of the moon tonight, but owing to the fogginess of the weather and the quan- tity of clouds in the sky no accurate views could be made. Even the exact time of the beginning and ending could not be learned. Marines Landed to ot Americ: WASHINGTON, March 10.—The following ¢able, dated March 1, at Colon, was received by Sccretary Herbert today: “A slight en- gagement has taken place, resulting in the defeat of the revolutionary force. The At- lanta has landed a forc: to protect Amer- ican interests at or in the nelghborhood of Bocas del Toro, Colombia.” Rovenue Catter Perry Reaches Port. WASHINGTON, March 10.—Captain She) pard, chief of the revenue marine service, recelved cable dispatches today stating that the revenue cutter Perry, which is enroute from New York to San Francisco, has reached Valparais Gresham Hopes to e Out Today. WASHINGTON, March 10.—Secretary sham's condition continues to improve and It is hoped he will be out tomorrow. - 70 PROTECT THE DRIVING TRACKS Call for a Convention to Form an Ameriean Leagoe, BALTIMORE, March 10,—Sldney W. Glles, secretary of the Cleveland Driving Park company, has sent out a call for a conven- tion on Monday, April 9, in Cleveland, to organize the Amegiéan Sporting league, sim- flar to that which #%sts in England, Ti call asks that each sporting assoclation send one or more agents, and says: “The object of the league will be to pre mote racing and alkdegitimate sports, hor estly conducted;gneyent leglalation hostile to its interests, Bt "prevent the so-called winter tracks and -oth evils." In a letter ageompanying the call Giles say All sporty gre th ened by adverse legislation until In fome states trotting and track e being closed or aban- 1. That abyses,an tracks exist, no one can deny, All honest sport is interested in the suppression #f fhbse abuses.’ W New Cieeiiits CANTON, 0., Mareh 10.—Dates for a new trotting cirewit Orgiilzed in Canton have been announced as follows: Rockport, June 18, 19, 20; Cantas) July 25 24 Y town, July 2, 3, 4. New Phi Canal Dover weie rejceted tl flict of dates, add twa ciiles ar their stead. Akron dind Warre ably come in. Jumes I stown Is president and Carthy of Canton secretary ugh a con- wanted in will prob. nedy of M. Me- Madinon Ulosed Agatn. ST. LOUISE, March 10.—The announcement made by the Madison Park association that the meeting ended with the last race yes- terday caused consideral rise among local *turfites. The intends mike the track in_clreumference When this s accomplished they will apply for membership in the Turf congress, glve @ legitimate meeting Byan-Traery M Net for Mareh 20, NEW YORK, March 10.-A match been arranged between Choynskl an don for March 21 and that belween and Tracey for March 20 Will Take Up Popular Christianity. NEW YORK, March 10.-Rev. Thomas Dixon offered his resignation as pastor of the Twenty-third Street Baptist church at the mcrning service today. He glves as his has Cree- Ryan F T Which contailas some of the reason that the work he especially desires to follow Is to reach non-church-going people. He says he remains in fundamental creed a Baptist, but he purposes to plage his work on a uniin evangelical platform@with vital falth in Jesus Christ alone recognized as a condition of membership. - AN 1DIOTIC BET. To Win 83 a Man Craw's Through a Mile of Snowdrifta, In order to win a bet of $3, made in a moment of exhilaration, Charles Schaffer, a Roxborough milkman, has proved his loudly asserted powers of endurance, and at the same time demonstrated that the Fool Killer has not recentiy visited that hilly suburb, During the bitter cold of Friday morning, and_through the heavy snowdrifts, says the Philadelphia Record, he walked on all fours. from Roxborough to Manayunk, a distance of about one mile. The strange part of the story Is that Schaffer suffered no ill effects of his novel undertaking, while the man with whom he made the wager, and the man who acted as judge, both had their ears badly frozen. In fact, the judge will lose ono or both of his auricular appendages. The biting cold caused a practical suspen- sion of business in Roxborough on Friday morning, and quite a number of citizens gatherad around a hot stove in a leading hotel of the village. The aforesaid citizens imbided something even more cheering than the warmth of the stove, and soon began to hoast of thelr respective abilities to endure exposure to the cold. Schaffer, being a milk- man, is accustomed to exposure, and was in a boasting mood, so, as a climax to his stor- ies of his prowess, he offered to bet $10 that he could walk on all fours, “like a dog," as he put it, from the hotel to Manayunk, with only one stop on the way. This proposition brought down a_ storm of ridicule upon the milkman’s head, but he stuck to it, and finally offered to bet §10 against $3 that he could perform the feat Then Herbert Downs accepted the wager, the cash was posted, and the two men agreed upon Arthur Redfern as the judge to see that all the conditions were fairly carricd out. Schaffer stipulated that he should wear on his hands a pair of rubber boots, and this concession was granted him, and, after firing up with two or threo drinks, the foolhardy milkman announced that he was ready to start on his journey. Quite a good crowd saw the littl> proces- sion start, but the bitter cold soon sent the spectators skurrying back to the store, and the party dwindled down to Schaffer, Downs and Redfern. Along Ridge avenue the milk- man found it easy to move along at a rapid gait, as the road had been pretty well broken in, but when he turned into Fountain street it was different, Huge snowdrifts, some of them fully seven feet decp, blocked the way, but he bravely floundered on, at times nearly buried from view in the soft, cold drifts. At Linden and Fountain streets the milk- man stood up, stretched himself several times, emptied a haif-pint flask of “Rox- borough best,”” and resumed his journcy After an hour of hard work the end of the journey was reached with Schaffer in a per- fect inspiration, and tired out, but happy. He had won his wager. Tho iwo men who accompanied him, however, were not happy. They were in a condition bordering on col- lapse, and both suffered intense pain from frozen ears. When they entered a warm room Downs' ears actually burst open, and Redfern’s v both so badly frozen that one, and perhaps both, will have to be amputated. The milk- man’ is now the hero of Roxborough, even though his customers are not being served, and Schaffer’s story that he can't get a supply because of the snow blockade is ac- cepted. el GOLD MINES IN CEMETERIES, italf a Million in Gold Buried Annually with Amerlcans, So a Frenchman Says. A Frenchman who recently made a tour of the United States has been writing some of his impressions in Le Temps. In one of his articles he says that what struck him particularly in this country was the Ameri- can habit of filling the teeth with gold. He consulted statisticians, he says, and by figur- ing on information given by them has dis- covered that the gold annually pounded into cavitics in the teeth of Americans amounts to the value of $500,000. All of this precious metal, he says, is buried with the Yankees when they die, and he figures that at the end of three centuries the cemeteries of Amerlca will contain gold to the value of £30,000,000. “I am afrald,” the writer goes on to say, “that this will prove too tempting to the practical mind of the future American, and we shall see the day when companies will be organized to mine the cemeteries and re- cover the gold secreted in the jaws of dead ancestors.” The writer then goes on and figures on the average amount of gold in the teeth of each dead person. He has evidently been consulting the record of vital statistics, for he says that 875,000 people died in the United States in 1859. This would bring the value of the gold in each dead person's teeth to an average of about 65% cents, and he thinks that in well crowded cemeteries the mining of this gold could be carried on profitably, despite the small average value. - GAVE A DAY TO DEACONESS WORK. Prominent People in the Order Occupy the Leading New York Puipits, NEW YORK, March 10.—Services were held in the various Methodist Kpiscopal churches of the city today under the aus- pices of the deaconesses. Miss Belle Horton of Chlcago, editress of the Deaconesses Edu- cate, and Miss Kate Curtis of this city spoke at the Central Methodist Episcopal church, where the usual Sabbath services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory. Miss Horton spoke on “Thé Growth and Development of the Deaconess Work in America,” and Miss Curtis some personal - experience Mis, Ryder-Meyer of Chic originator the deaconesses, spok Metho Episcopal _church. Lunn of Boston spoke in St E Iipiscopal church. Rev. Dr.” Weakley of Cin- cinnati lectured in St. Luke's Madizon Ave hue ehurch on the mission of the deacon- ess among the sick. Miss Hilda Larson gpoke at the West Thivty-fifth Street Meth- odist copal chureh,” Rev. Carl Stred- Yoo rdam, N gpoke at the East thodist Episcopal ness in the Hos- Luke chureh pitals.” Des Moines Leader: The thousands of Odd Fellows in lowa receive with deep regret information of the death of Williani Garrett ot Burlington, who had been grand secretary of the order in lowa since 1853 William Garrett lea a long and useful life aside from his work in connection with the bencficient order with which he was associated. He was born in Lexington, Ky., June 18, 1823, Early in life be was brought by his mother to Bur- lington, where he £pent his remaining years, He was prominent through all his adult years in the business, social and church life of that community B Pierre Men Go Into n Mining Venture, PIERRE, 8. D, March 10.—Articles incorporation huve been filed for the Mexi- n and American Mining company, with headquartsrs at Sloux Falls and Juerr Mex.; capital stock, $3,000,000. The incor- pOTAtor: i J. ¢, Palmer, G e W, Ab- Jott 8 Royde, Bioux Falls, 8 D.; T D, MeCavrier and 3. 8. Wright, Kansas City, Mo of Editor Naymour’s Plans, CHICAGO, March 10.—(Speeial.)—Mr. ratio Seymour, for a long time editor of the Herald, is said to hav that will enable him to purchase the plant of the Times, which was rendered useless by the recent consolidation. Mr. Seymour says he will start a daily newspaper inside of two months. Women We CINCINNATI, March 10.—8peclals report that primary elections for members of boards of education were held yesterday in numerous cities in all parts of Ohio, and that (he women were out in force as voters. In nearly every case where there was com- petition between a woman and a man the woman won. Ho- maunaging backing Hold Religious Seryices I the doluts. WELLINGTON, Kan., March 10.—A dele- gation of Woman's Christlan Temperance union women, accompanied by a number of young men, visited all the joints in the city last night and held religious services in each. They were treated politely, and no unusual disturbances occurred. Found a Body NEVADA, Mo, March There is con- siderable excitement at Hronaugh, Fernor county, over the finding of & body doubled up in a coal Ot barrel. The man {s un- known. The police officials are making an investigation, and hint at a sensation, E].um;w-mwwuwl | er n BLOSSER’S CRIMES COME 0UT Oromwell's Chief Oitizsn Turms Out to Have Been an Extensive Forger, HAD WORKED NOTES FOR MANY MONTHS Banks the Maln Sufferers So a8 Known-Friends Offer, Him but He Commit Sulcide. Far CRESTON, Ia., March 10.—(Special Tele- gram.)—L. D. Blosser of Cromwell, who was gullty of a series of forgeries and when con- fronted by officers took his life, it appears was a criminal of several years standing When it became known that Blosser had taken his life developments of a sensational and rather mysterious nature came to the surface. It now appears that Blosser had promiscuously forged the names of wealth Cromwell citizens and a number of farmers and disposed of the notes as collateral, real- izing quite extensively on them at Creston banks. He duplicated many notes, and just what amount is outstanding cannot told at this time. Forged paper is coming to light every hour, and it fs safe to estimate that $10,000 will not actions. Most of this paper is on friends Who up to the last minute offered ‘to ald Blosser, but they were not aware of the ex- tensive criminality of the man. For some time Blosser has been under sur- veillance, and a few days ago the neighbor hood was searched for him. When it became known that he was a forger his friends ad- vanced him money to stralghten matters, but he did not do it. He evidently determined to commit sulcide, for he had tried to do 50 on two former occasions. When ques- tioned as to his irregularities the day before the shooting it is alleged that he told a friend that he did not commit the forgeries. While-Blosser realized on the paper it is now believed that he had an accomplice. The forgeries are numerous, and the dif- ferent signatures on the notes are a fac- simile of the signatures of the men whose names appear. In looking over Blosser's books it appears that he fis a very poor penman, and it is almost certain that he had assistance, as he never could have exe- cuted the notes with such exactness. Blosser until recently has been rated at $10,000. Adding $15,000 to this sum, which it is safe to say he has borrowed and forged, comes the query what become of the money. His habits have been exemplary, and his business was not sufficiently extensive to absorb this sum. Either Blosser has be speculating or he has been made a tool o by some clever accompli veral implement firms are filing attach- ments against his property in Cromwell Parlin, Orendorf & Martin of Omaha are creditors to the sum of $5,000, and other claims are coming in. The fact that Blosser bas been such a prominent and respected citizen and the flagrant betrayal of the trust imposed in him by friends has thrown the little town of Cromwell into convulsions. sroics be cover Blosser's trans- to ARE New Council Parcels Out Appointments und Precipitates n Frobabl SIOUX CITY, March 10.—(Special gram.)—Early Sunday morning the new city council came out of the committee room and announced the results of its caucus to determine who should receive the appoint- ive offices at its disposal. All but a few offices in the city are in the council's gift, and there was a spirited fight for every place. The democrats, who have but two of ten councilmen, got some of the best places, and there is vigoruos kicking among republicans, some of- whom _threaten to take the fight into the open council. Short Line Litigation Appeal DUBUQUE, Ta., March 10.—The Union Loan and Trust company has appealed from the decision of Judge Shiras, awarding to J. W. Todd $3,400,000 worth of Sioux City & Northern and Sioux City, O'Neill & West- ern_securitles, deposited with Todd & Co. as security for a loan of SLHX0X, but pre- Viously pledged to the Union'company to secure $,000,00 of endorsements. Pending the appeal, ‘the effect of which will be to delay foreclosure proceedings, an effort to reorganize the properties will be made by the "Credit Commutation company, - which has acquired the assets of the Union com- pany. Walter Strange Jury Still Out. SIOUX CITY, March 10.—(Special Tele- gram)—The jury in the case against ex- Supervisor Walter Strange, which went out Saturday night, at a late hour this even- ing had not agresd, and there was no pros- pect that it would do so soon. S10UX C1TY DIVIDED. Several Moons nt Cedar Rapids. CEDAR RAPIDS, Ta., March 10.—(Special Telegram.)—The eclipse of the moon was visible here tonight, their being scarcely a cloud in the sky. Just previous to the cclipse large “moon dogs” were visible on each side of the moon, e Cardina) Gibbons Going to Ron BALTIMORE, Md, March 10.—Cardinal Gibbons leaves New York for Rome the first week in May, and Rev. Cornelius F. Thomas, rector of the cathedral, will a mpany him. Rev. John T. Whelan, senfor istant priest at the cathedral, will, dur- ing their absence, be the acting rector, — e Iron Hall Kunds Sent to (ndianapolis. BALTIMORE, March 10.—The Iron Hall fund of §73,00, contributed by members of the order in this state, has been sent to Indianapolis to swell the funds in the hands of Jumes Fallley, the general receiver, PLANNED TO HOLD UP THE STATE Taylor and His Boudsmon Areanged to Force n Compromise of the Defaleation. PIERRE, 8. D, March 10.—The leglslative committee Investigating the Taylor defaleas tion made its report just’ before adjourns ment. The proceedings were in secret, and the report fs now made pubiic for the first time. The committee declares from the ev- idence before it that it is shown a cons spiras xisted between certain suretles of Taylor and the defaulter to “hold up” the state and compel A settlement. It sayi We do not find that there was any cols luglon among the sureties or any other per sons with him to defrand the state prior to _the time when it became apparent to John T. McChesney of New York, one of the bondsmen, that Taylor wou not be able to make his settlement with the state, But we do find evidence strongly tending fo show that, in the Iatter part of Decems ber, 1894, and after McChesney dlscovered that Taylor could not raise money enough o make his settiement, McChesney, tos gether with Taylor, D. K. Tenney and C, H. Wells, and C. T, McCoy, acting as agent at P , entered into cheme to gather up all the funds held by Taylor, amounting to over $200,00, and afl the real and pers sonal property owned by Taylor, wherever located, and place the same beyond the ch of the state, for the purpose of com= pelling the state to agree not to prosecute aylor criminally, or, in oth words, Lo compound a felony, on condition that props erty and money to the amount of $100,000 should be delivered up and paid over to the state, thus relleving the surcties by paying their Habilities with the funds stolen from the state. The evidence shows that they have attempted to carry out the scheme, with fraudulent intent to defraud the state.” Tenney and Wells are the Chicago laws- vers of Taylor and McChesney, one of his bondsmen, of New York. he committee finds that' the total amount stolen by Taylor was $H4,070.10. “As to where the money went ~ th nce shows, among other things, he loaned e overnor Mal- lette’ money amounting to $20,000; that he loaned Judge Kellam $4,000, and purchased a negotiable note for $5,000 given by United States Senator Pettig vhich was re- paid to C. T, McCo agent, on or ut the 7th of January, 1885, We further find that diring the month of cember last he transferred from fifteen banks where he depogited publie funds about $200,000 to himself and his benefit to New York and Chicago; t he appro- wiated to his own use prior to December $145,800, he cvidence shows no collusion on the part of any state officer with the defaulting r here is, however, testimony & gross negligence, to say the least the part of Thomas H. Ruth, ex loner ¢ school and public lands, report state that action to recove been begun in thirty different countie that service has been had on all th ent defendants in the case; that sults have also been instituted against McChesney and William Taylor, father of the defaulter, in Indiana, on mis i RIS Ex-President Hareison Out of Da INDIANAPOLIS, March 10.—Ex-President Harrison, after a week of illness that threatened at one time to take a dangerous turn, is rapidly recovering and will be able o be out in a few-days. This evening Mr, Harrison's physicis sged the that his patient would b2 up In few d The danger point has been passed, Woman Dies of Hydr READING, Pa, March Dautrich, aged 60 years, the hand by a dog six we today. She showed all the symptoms of hydrophiobia, snarling and barking, dread Uer and all the horrible suiferings of son aflicted With rabics. cthlehem Steel fail MI Resumes. PHLIZHEM, Pa., March 10.—The Bethe lehem Lron compuny today notified 1,000 steel workers to report tomorrow, when opera- tions in the steel mill will resume, after {wo months' {dleness. Worle will begin on & 12,000 ton order of ralls for a Georgla rail- road. Your Blood Needs ger. lief phobla, 10.—Mrs, Susan who was bitten in ks ago, died here cleansing now, beeause this is the season when accumulated impuri- ties are most dangerous, causing that good feeling, loss of appetite, or more serious diseases. Hood's Sarsaparilla is the best spring medicine, nerve tonig and vitalizer. It purities the blood, gives it richness and vitality, raises the health tone, and creates an appetite, Be sure to get Hood's Sarsaparilla “About two months ago I began to be troubled with a terrvible breaking out all over my body. One day I notie- ed a sign advertising Hood's Sarsapa- rilla and concluded to try it. The very first dose seemed to do me good. 1 have used only three bottles and I am now free from eruptions.” Samuel Marcus- 11 East 73d St., New York Cit, ¥ to buy, eusy (o take Y 1 oftect. Soe, AMUSBMENTS, 26¢, 38c EMPIRE and 50 ceuts “Teleplione 1531 TONIGHT, 8:15. WILD OATS. ncxday and Saturday, A Southern Rose, .Castoria is Dr. Samuel Pitcher’s prescription for Infunts and Children, It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic substance, It is o harmless substitute for Paregoric, Drops, Soothing Syrups, and Castor Oil, It is Picasant. its guarantee is thirty ycars’ use by Millions of Mothers., Castoria destroys Worms and allays feverishness, Castoria provents vomiting Sour Curd, cures Diarrhecea and Wind Colie. Castoria relievel teething troubles, cures constipation and flatuleney. Castoria assimilates the food, regulates the stomach and bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep, Case toria is the Children’s Panacea—the Mother’s Friend, Castoria. “ Castoria 1s an excellent medieine for chil dren, Mothers have repeatadly told me of its good effect upon thelr clildren." Da. G. €. Dsaoop, Zowell, Mass, « Castoria 13 the best remedy for children of which I am acquainted, 1 Lope the day 13 xot far distant when mothers will consider the real interest of their cbildren, cud uso Castoria in- stead of the variousquack nostrums which are destroying their loved oncs, by foreiag opium, morphine, soothing syrup and other hurtful agents down their: throats, thercby seuding theim W prewature greves.' Di, 3. ¥, KixcuELog, Couway, Ark. Castoria, “ Castoria Is 50 well adapted to children thad 1 recommend it assuperior toany prescription koown to me." H. A, Ancues, M. D, 111 8o. Oxford §t., Brooklyn, N, ¥, *Our physicians In the children's depart: ment have spoken highly of their experl- ence n their outeido practice with Castoria, and although we omly have among our medical supplies what is known as regular products, yet we aro freo to confess shes the merits of Castoria has wor “a t@ look with favor upon it." UxiTen HosviTak 4o DisvENeaRy, Loston, Mass. Awex C. Swiru, Pres., The Centsar Company, 77 Murray Street, New ¥ork City, o MRS, PORTER KING, Ohatrman. | 5t