Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 9, 1902, Page 1

L THE OMAHA DAILY BEE. ESTABLISHED JUX OMAHA, TUESDAY ORNING, DECEMBER 9, 1902—TEN PAGES SINGLE COPY THREE CENTS. MIXES MARKLE MEN Firm's Figuring Keeps Pay the Bame, Though Wages Ril DEAD MEN'S DEBTS ALWAYS COLLECTED Widows Tell of Nusbands Killed and Oash Extracted by Company. DAMAGES ARE DENIED TO POOR WOMEN Officials Present Papers for Bignature Abselving Them from Olaim, TALES ASIONISH STRIKE ARBITRATORS Oannot Understand How Ten Per Cent Increase Nets Miners No More Cash and Witnesses Also Pro- fess Thelr Ignorance. SCRANTON, Pa., Dec. &.—Almost the en- tire session of the strike commission was taken up by evidence affecting the Markle pits. The miners placed witnesses on the stand who swore tha company refused to employ them because they belonged to the union, bad evicted them from their houses for the same cause; that the docking system was intolerable; that the price of powder, which enters into the computation of wages, cars increased, while pay remained as be tore. Two Hungarian women, one of them the mother of the boy who testified on Satur- day, were placed on the stand and said the Markle company deducted house rent from the last wages of their husbands, who were killed in the mines, and attempted to got them to slgn a paper which would absolve the Markles from damages for tho death of the men. They also confirmed the story told by the breaker boy that children had to work without pay until debts owed by dead fathers were paid off. The Markle company was not represented, although it had ample notice that testi- mony affecting Its collieries would be pre- sented. The commissioners, however, ex- pect it to bring evidence in rebuttal. Figuring of Wages Are Strange, The cominissioners were much surprised to hear that the 10 per cent Increase granted in 1900 was not a straight out raise in wages, but instead a 2% per cent in- crease and a reduction in powder of 7% per cent, making the net increase in earnings 10 per cent. This the miners claim s not being pald by the Markle company, owing to a peculiar manner of figuring, which they do not understand. The question aroused considerable discussion and ne one in the court could give a satisfactory explanation. There was a flurry at the afternoon ses- slon, when Ira H. Bur representing the independent companies, referred to the president of the United State s “Teddy Roosevelt,’ Brigadier General Wilson and Judge Gray at once adinli red & stinging rebuke and "'}n??:z‘mm James Gallagher Who was on the stand on Saturday. He sald it used to be the custom of the Markle em- ployes to contribute $50 to the fanilly of & man killed in the mines and to Jay 'off uhtil he was buried. The Markles, however, made a contract with the workmen whereby they paid the $50 and the men remain at work. The witness said the size of the mine oars had steadily increased, but wages had not been raised The powder question came up at the afternoon session and caused considerable discussion, but when it was over the com- missioners knew little more than they did Detore. Mr. Clark raised it when he read to Paul Dunleavy statements of wages sub- mitted by him, which showed that some months he owed the company money for powder. Witness could not tell clearly how it was he was in debt and added that to his way of thinking the 10 per cent increase granted in 1900 was not an increase at all. In some way the Markle company placed some of the men in debt for powder. No one seemed to know how it was done. J. N. Rittenhouse followed and said two years ago it cost a famlily $17.61 a month for all the necessities of lite, but now $22.94 was required to purchase the same articles. His figures were made up from those quoted by twenty-five merchants. Armour Man Discusses Merger. John D. Hughes, the Scranton manager for Armour & Co., gave the wholesals prices for meats and compared them with the rates prevailing in 1800 and 1901. He presented a large mass of figures, showing that meats had increased 231-5 per cent since 1900. In cross-examination Ira D. Burns, the Independent companies, asked: “Don't you know that the rise in meats was due to the Meat trust? Witness—I1 don't know of any such in- stitution. Mr. Burps—Do you agree with what “Teddy"” Roosevelt says about the trusts? Witness—I believe in some of it. He was proceeding to explain apparently just what portion of the president's views found favor with him when General Wilson jumped up and indignantly exclaimed: “Mr. Chairman, I object to any person before this commission referrin president of the United States in that manner." Mr. Burns intensified the sen occasioned by calmly re| times calls himself tha Judge Gray, however, smoothed matters out by saying: I think the objection is well taken.” for Mrs. Andrew Chipple, the mother of the |’ 12-year-old breaker boy, who said on Sat- urday that he had to work out the debt of & dead father, took the stand and sub- stantiated all her son had sald. She gave the additional information that the Markle company wanted her to sign & paper waiv- iug the right to damages for the death of her husband. The company promised her rent and coal free for six months, but she refused to sign. Upon this they charged up rent and coal and compelled the boy to work 1 cents an hour in the breaker, but his wages ‘were so small that the debt was increasing. her Strog & Infa Another Hungarian woman, whoe hus- band was killed at the same time, told precisely the same story In every detail. “ Her son was given a job in the min: as & driver boy at 80 cents a day, and In five or six months ouly recelved 85, all his wages being retained for rent and coal Both women received $50 each for burial expenses from the company, but the funeral expenses in each case were greater than tha When their husbands were killed, the had beon raised and the size of | [VOLCANOES ACTIVE IN SAMOA Suddenly Craters Flames Rurst Forth from Long Inactive in the Mounta STATES NAVAL STATION, SAMOA, Nov ~Via San Dee. 8.)—On November 8, the the western extremity of the UNITED TUTUILA, Francisco, Samoans at severe shocks of v-nr!huulkel' ch lagted throughout the night and o Some of the shocks were % to throw down a concrete wreck several others. Then fire W to burst forth from several of the mby taln peaks and the people fled In terror to places they considered safe. These extinct volcanos, now active, are toward the west of Savil, in German Samoa. Traditfon speaks of a violent eruption about 150 years ago, when that portion of the country was a flowing stream of molten lava. The fires at present observable are at four peaks of the mountain ridge, which forms the backbone of the island and so long as the disturbance is confined to that portion of the country little harm can happen. It s stated that the other parts of Samoa, being of more recent origin than Savil, will not be affected by the outburst. SENATE STANDS BY DOLE Legislative Body of Hawail Approves Removal of Officers by Governor of the nerritory, HONOLULU, Dec. 2.—(Via San Francisco, | Dec. 8.)—The territorial senate today ve- | celved and adopted a report of its speclal committes on public works approving the message of Governor Dole, in which he asks for the removal of Superintendent Boyd and made grave charges against bim. This, with the removal of Auditor Austin, already accomplished, is thought to com- plete the removals of officlals as a result | of the recent scandals. | A report was also received by the sonate from its committee on the territorial tres ury. The sum of $17,949, for embezzling which | Treasurer Wright has already been in- dicted, was found to be short. Chinese Minister Wu Ting-fang arrived in Honolulu last night as a passenger to China on the steamer Hong Kong Maru. While here he met many of the locally prominent Chinese, and he had some severe comments to make on the way the exclu- slon act is enforced her MOROCCO HAS TWO RULERS Pretender Issues Stamps, Seizes Treas- and Arms and Calls Himselt Sultan. ury, MADRID, Dec. 8.—Dispatéhes from Fer, Morocco, allege that the pretender to the throne has assumed sovereign rights, He has issued a manifesto announcing that he has taken possesalon of the treas- ury, batteries of guns and arms, and says he intends to attack the sultan's forces as soon as his supplies arrive. He bas also issued postage stamps. _"The sultan is egid to bg prepariug & largs army with which to attack the pretender. KAISER CANNOT VISIT FAIR Crown Prince May, Howev: Atla in Father's Stead. Cross te BERLIN, Dec. 8.—Emperor Willlam bas becn obliged to refuse the invitation ex- tended him to attend the St. Louls fair, a it 1s impossible for him to go so far away trom home, It 1s quite likely, however, that the crown prince will visit America instead. Suffering in Copenhagen. COPENHAGEN, Dec. 8.—The widespread suffering here resulting from industrial stagnation and commercial depression has been intensified by the unusual severity ot the winter weather, which set in a month earlier than usual. Building operations had largely to be abandoned, thus increasing the number of unemployed to an extent sur- passing most records and seriously taxing the resources of the charity organizations. Form a Kaiser Party. * BERLIN, Dec. 8.—Baron von Eckardstein has issued invitations to a meeting at Frankfort on December 16 to consider the formation of a new national party to up- hold Emperor Willlam's policy. It will be called the kaiser party. Prince Falls rom Bar. PLOEN, Prussia, Dec. 8.—Prince Oscar, Emperor William's fifth son, has sustained a slight fracture of the through falling from a horizontal bar. The injury will not interfere with his studies. Price of Bread Goes Up. LONDON, Dec. 8.—The price of bread was raised 1 cent per loaf in the east end of London today, thus intemsifying the dis- tress of those who are out of work. King Concludes His Viait. today concluded his visit to England and started homeward Pacific Wires Opened. MONTREAL, Dec. 8.—The British Pacific cable opened for business today. JOHN DILLON AGAIN IN BED Trip from Chicago New York FProves Too Much for the Irish Leader. NEW YORK, Dec. 8.—John Dillon, one of | the leaders of the Irish nationalist party, is at the Hoffman house, having arrived with his wife on Umbria. Mr. Dil- | 1on, who had beer ill in Chicago, and who bad just arrived here, was affected ma terfally by his trip and was obliged to | take to bid bed at the hotel and deny him- selt_to @l callers, fle his condition is not considered serious, Mrs, Dillon said that he was too ill to see anybody. BOTH PARTIES TAKE ACTION Nompartisan Del from New Mexico Will Be Named to Urge Statehood. ALBUQUERQUE, N. M., Dec. 8.—The | parties of this territcry will appoint & ! and nonpartisan delegation to visit Washington and work for the passige of the omnibus statehood bill. Mass meetings will be held during (he week in all the leading towns of the terri- tory to advocate the cause of statehood. group of islands of Savil were startled by | collar bone | LONDON, Dec. 8.—The king of Portugal | | chairmen of the republican and democratic | HOUSE PAYS REED HOMACE Adjourns to 8how Respect in Which Late Bpeaker Was Held. ENTERS BRILLIANT TRIBUTE ON RECORDS 0 Parllamentarian Surpassed trious Dead, No Debater Matched ctual Giant Who Tow- ered Above His Fellows. . . 4 MINGTON, Dec. 8.—The house today 3 arkable tribute to the memory of | ex-S50 r Thomas B. Reed. 5 His death had created a profound im- | pression and there was a universal desire Among the members that the house show a signal mark of respect to his memory. For the house to take such action on the death of a former member had only three precedents in its history, namely, on the occasions of the death of Benton, Blaine and Alexander Stephens, when the house adopted resolutions and adjourned out of respect to their memories. 1t was decided to follow these precedents in the case of Mr. Reed. The chaplain at the opening of the session pald a feeling | reference to the death of the ex-speaker. No business was transacted beyond formal reading of two messages from the president and an arrangement to postpone the special order for today, the London dock bill, until tomorrow. Sherman Offers Resolution. Mr. Sherman of New York, then amid profound silence arose and in a few feeling remarks offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the following minutes be spread upon the records of the house of representatives Hon. Thomas Brackett Reed died In Washington December 7, 1902. For twenty- two years he had been' a member of this house; for six years its speaker. His serv- fce terminated with the Fifty-fifth congres Within this chamber the scenes of his life's great activities were lald. Hera he rendered service to his country which placed him in the front ranks of "American statesman- sEip. - Here he exhibited characteristics Which compelled respect and won admira- o Forcetul ability, Intrinslc worth, strength of character, brought him popular fame and congressional leadership. In him depth and breadth of intellect, with a full and well rounded development, had produced a glant who towered above his fellows and tmpressed them with his power and wisdom. A distinguished statesman, a lofty patriot, a cultured scnolar and incisive, an un- matched debater, o master of logic, wit and satire;' the most famous .of the world's parliamentarians, the great and representa: tive cltizen has gone. fto history. Resolved, That in homor of the dlstin- gulshed dead the house now adjourn. In presenting the resolution Mr. Sherman said: Mr. Speaker, the life of ex-Speaker Reed ended yesterday. Its span measured many years less than the allotted life of man; and yet there was within It 6 much of moment that his fame became great and will be lasting. He was a citizen of my state since his retirement from public life, although it was as representative from Maine that he rendered his servica to {he republic, and It Is in the state of Maine that he ‘will have his final Testing pince. To have served with Mr. Reed was in honor, to have been in close touch with him an inspiration, to have enjoyed his conf: dence and friendship, a delight. He was 80 great, his service to' his country 8o vatua ble, that 1t seems to me we may ftly de- :w what ls the usal cistom o tha ‘when one not in public life diss, & the Mv. Speaker, offer the resdiut Which I ‘sent to the clerk, ¥ When Mr. Sherman resumed his seat tho speaker asked If there was any objection. Unantmously Adopted. The silence remained unbroken. The resolutions were then unanimously adopted and at 12:15 p. m. the speaker declared the house adjourned out of respect to the mem- ory of Mr. Reed. The ways and means committee has re- ported favorably on the resolution to ad- journ from December 20 to January . Bills were introduced today by Mr. Lacey (Ia.) to repeal the desert land law. The commutation provides for homestead laws. The house committee on agriculture hav- Ing under cousideration the agricultural appropriation bill today heard Prof. Wil- lix L. Moore, chiet of the Weather bu- reau,, on the proposed distribution of forecasts by the rural free delivery sys- tem, which he favors. It is estimated that it would cost about $60,000 additional per yew. DISCUSS IMMIGRATION BILL Senators Amend Measure Regulating ress to the United States. WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.—The senate to- day adopted all the committee amendments to the immigration bill, with the excep- tion of ome prescribing an educational test, and approved the action of the committee in striking out the clause pro- hibiting the sale of intoxicants within a capitol building, and then laid aside the bill until tomorrew The amendment fixing a $3 tax on each immigrant furnished the principal topic for debate. Mr. Gallinger (N. H.) insisted that there was less necessity for it now than a year ago, but it was adopted without di- vision A new amendment was adonted, designed to stop the alleged perjury on the part of persons secking udmission and the commit- | tee amendment making the head tax a lien on the property of the transportation lines was struck out. An amendment was also {agreed to exempting allens in transit through the United States and aliens once admitted and who have paid. After routine business Mr. sent to the desk and had read the resolutions adopted by the Indlan territorial legislative committee on the statehood bill combining Oklahoma and In- dian Territory, expressing sympathy for | Oklahoma In its efforts to secure statehood, | appealing for some form of local self-gov- ! ernment, such as is provided for in what is known as the Moon bill, and denouncing certain people, who, It is charged, have mis- represented the desires of the citizens of the Indlan Territory with regard to joint statebood with Oklahoma. | On the immigration bill being callea, | the head tax amendment -was discussed at length by Messrs. Gallinger, Hoar, Fair- | banks, Penrose, Lodge and Foraker, | finally was agreed to. The other amendments were adopted also, |'one applying to perjury to all pereon swear- Ing falsely as to the right of admission. The reading of the bill having been con- | cluded, and the committce amendments ex- | cept those passed over adopted, the bill was | laid aside for the day and the senate | passed three unobjected pension bills | At 4:20 the senate went into executive session and at 4:45 adjournced The committee on adpropriations de- cided to repcrt the houte measure apari priating $30,000 for the snthracite strike commissicn. The hill will be amended 3o | ihat officers of the government on the | commiesicn shall n~ -eceive double com- | penration, but proi 49 1 will be made for | their cxpenses. Quay (Pa.) the | and | TWO FATALITIES AT A FIRE . | Falls and Breaks His Neck and Child is Burped to Death. | MENOMINEE FALLS, WL Dec. 8.—Fire last night destroyed the gémeral stote and dwelling of Manthey & Colgate, five miles north of here. Mr. Manthey In attempting | to escape fell from the porch and broke his | neck, dying a few minutes dater, In the excitement a child 8 years of age | was forgotten and was bufnéd to death. | Another child was fatally and three others ! seriously injured. The mother and two other children were the only @nes (o escape uninjured. Mr. Manthey was over 60 ygars old. The family consisted of the fatl and mother and seven children, who with the servant were In the building st the iime of the fire. It Is thought the fire caused by an overheated furnace. {CHICAGO EMPLDYEE‘ COMBINE Form Organization to Deal with Lab: Troubles Affecting Its Members. CHICAGO, Dec. 8.—Fredeglek W. Job, chalrman of the State Board 8f Arbitration, resigned today to become seeretary of the Employers' assoctation of ~Hicago. This body was recently organized by the leading employers in Chicago, but the fact of its existence was a seefet until Mr. Job's resignation became kmawn. Mr. Job said: All T can say of the ofanization at present fs that 1t will deal @8 @& unit with labor troubles affecting itd members. Chicago's greatest capiaiis of industry are members. This otganigation is bullt on new lines and | believe it will attract national attention and comment. We are not ready, however, to make all our plans public. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT ILL Millionaire Confined to Red with Typhold Fever, but No Com- plications Are Feared. NEW YORK, Dec. 8.—Cornellus Vander- bilt is {11 of typhold fever at his home in this city. He has been confined to his bed tor a week. At the house it was sald tgday that the patient was comfortable and that no com- plications would result. Dr. Flint, who s attending Mr. Vander- bilt, issued the following bullefin on the patient's condition today: night, P o Mr. Vanderbllt had a very but, medically speaking, he can be expected. Janeway for a Dr. Flint called in Dr. consultation today. PIONEER NEWSBOY. IS' DEAD “e{" L. Gatchitt, Whe w‘“‘. the Idea of Orying Out tor Sale. NEW YORK, Dec. 8.—Hénry who as a lad was the ¥ New York to ery his paj just dled at his home in man. dng He was born on the east and sold newspapers in the streets when the site | of Cooper union was & cornfield. Act- ing on an inspiration ene day, he took up his stand in Park Row and began calling out the names of his papers and an ink- | ling of their contents to passersby. The | present ‘“extra” yell of the newsboys | dates from that time, WITNESS SAYS HE TOLD LIES First Alleges Accused Murderer Shot but Now Re- tracts Statement, Paper 1 Gatehitt, in in Self Defense, KANSAS CITY, Dec. 8.—Joseph Orton, a witness In the case against Dr. Louls Zorn, charged with killing Albert Sechrest, today voluntarily said he had deliberately ‘lied in giving evidence. Orton was employed by Zorn and at first testified that at the time of the shooting Sechrest had raised a hoe as if to strike the doctor and Zorn had shot in self de- fense. Today he surprised the state by de- claring his first testimony false and saying Sechrest was unarmed when shot. INSISTS ON CANADIAN LINE Dominion Minister Says New Rail- roads Must Have British 1 Terminal. OTTAWA, Dec. 8.—Hon. Cliffora Sifton, minister of the interlor, is reported to have said that if any line gets assistance from the government for a (ranscontinental track it will be on the express condition that the terminal is a Canadlan port. Some point In the province of Quebec n the St. Lawrence, far enough east to be kept open all the year around must be selected and reached by the shortest and most direct route. ELOPES WITH AN I0WA GIRL $t. Joseph Bank Cashier Recently Weds & Youns Woman of Logan, Ia. ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Dec. 8.—(Special Tele- gram.)—It just became known today that | Victor Long, assistant cashier of the Ger- man-American bank, eloped with Mi Myrtle Minshall, a society girl of Logan, | Ia., on September 17 and was married. | The couple have been living quietly In | this city ever since the wedding, the young | woman notitylng her relatives as soon as the ceremony had been performed. ‘WILL FIGHT FOR LOW RATES | Kansas Millers Against Higher Ci ain and ¥ eek Injunction rEes om r. WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 8.—Several Kansas | millers held a secret meeting here last night and raised $10,000 to start injunction | proceedings against Kansas rallroads, it they put into effect higher freight rates on grain and grain products out of the state. {MAYOR AMES FLEES TO SOUTH | Kentueky Geovernor Allows Minme- | apolis Man te Be Placed in Custody. FRANKFORT, Ky., Dee. 8.—Governor | Beckham today onored the requisition ot the governor of Minnesota for the arrest i ex-Mayor A. A. Ames of Minneapolis. In the meantime, bowever, Mr. Ames | | bas flown agaln, this time to the south. WAR ON THE CATTLE PLAGUE Oongross Asked for Half Million Dollars to Stamp Out Disease. COMES HERE ORIGINALLY FROM EUROPE Amendments to the Gene eral Land Laws. (From a Btaff Correspondent.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.—(Special Tele- gram.)—The outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Massachusetts and the New Eng- land atates generally will probably recelve the attention of congress within a very tew days. D, E. Salmon, chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agricul- ture, 1s now In Boston. He wriles that ho is rapidly organizing a force for the stamp- ing out of the dlsease. The local authori- ties are co-operating with the federal gov- ernment to a great extent, but the quaran- tines established on various farms are not very carefully maintained, in that horses, dogs and men from quarantined farme are permitted to pass back and forth without hindrance. Dr. Salmon, acticg under au- thority of the law, has agreed that the general government shall pay 70 per cent of the value of Infected animals slaugh- tered to prevent the spread of the dis- ease. Judging from the amounts thus far awarded, it Is estimated that each animal killed will cost the federal government about $33. It is urgod that an emergency appropriation of at least $500,000 be made | by congress immediately, and $1,000,000 would be better, in order that there may be no delay incurred in the work of exter- minating the disease. Comes from Europe. From his investigations thus far Dr. Salmon 18 of the opinion that the disease germs from which the outbreak originated were imported, from Burope, being car- ried in hay used to feed horses bought abroad. The most serious aspect of the case is, according to Dr. Salmon, the fear of the spread of contagion from the scat- tering of care through the country in vhich infected animals have been confined: in fact, he reports one animal suffering from the disease has turned up in Toronto, Can~ ada, which case can be directly traced to an Infected car used in Boston. The committee on agriculture of the house had the subject up for discussion at its meeting today. A consultation with the secrétary will be held tomorrow morning and it is expected that an emergency bill will be introduced at once, which will carry an appropriation large enough to enable the department to carry on the work ot stamping out the disease, inasmuch as the scourge can readily be carried through in- tected rolling stock to every section of the country. It is belleved tha* there will be no serious opposition to the passage of the emergency appropriation bill. Looking After the Places. Within the next few days Ii is expected that & number of prominent politicians ot Nebraska will put In an appearance in ‘Washington for the purpose of assisting 'Sendtors - Dietrich and Miltard to veach- conclusions as to positions which will shortly be vacant by expiration of the terms of incumbents. Chairman Lindsey of the republican state committee, it is understood, will be here in the next two or three days for the purpose of pushing his candidacy for United States district a torney to succeed W. S. Summers. Rumor has it that Mr, Summers will also be on the ground about the same time and a lively contest is expected to ensue. Setties n Long Fight. As a result of the long drawn out fight between contending interests, and which et one time promised to divide the republican party in Dodge county, Senator Millard to- day recommendated Dan Swanson to be postmaster at Fremont, vice Ross Ham- mond, resigned. Mr. Swanson is to take charge of the office on January 1. R. B. Schuelder, who has been the champlon and friend of Mr. Hammond all through the fight for his retention and who was instru- mental in bringing about the compromise extending the time of Mr. Hammond until some amicable arrangement could be reached, brought the resignation of the Fremont postmaster to Washington and today presented it to Sepator Millard. The senator, who was a party to the agreement which was reached before the close of the first session of the Fifty-seventh congress, immediately sent to the postmaster general the name of Mr. Swanson and so far as c: be learned everything is serene in Dodge county. g Shallenberger Has Trust Bill Congressman Shallenberger will go before the committes on judiclary tomorrow for the, purpose of explaining his anti-trust bill, introduced last December. Mr. Shall- caberger’s bill provides for a non-partisan commission to regulate forelgn and inter- state commerce, to whom all reports as to the condition of corporations doing an in- terstate business ehall be made. It pro- vides also for complete publicity of the condition of all such corporations and ex- amination of the books of such corporations by special examiners. It also provides that all watered stock, as sbown by an examina- tion of special commissions, shall pay a tax of 10 per cent into the general treasury, the object of this being to tax the watered stock of corporations out of existence. It provides further that when these reports are made known, which ¢how corporations are selling products In forelgn countrics cheaper than at home the president shall be empowered to remove the duty upon all such articles until normal competition is restored, when he shall have the right to restore the duty suspended. This, in the opinion of Mr. Shallenberger, eliminates the tariff commission and the necessity for tariff legislation. Aberdeen Wants & Change. Senators Gamble and Kittredge and Rep- resentative Martin of the South Dakota delegation called upon the president today ! and presented Hon. F. A. Brown of Aber- deen, who is in Washington in connection | with the public building in that city which is now under comstruction. Mr. Brown is here with & view of changing the material that bas been decided upon to be used in the superstructure of the Aberdeen post- offiec. Colonel Melvin Griggsby of the South Dakota rough rider regiment, now United States attorney for the Nome district of Alaska, bas been in Washington for sev- eral days on matters connected with his | new position. Amendments to Land Laws. Representative Lacey of lowa today in- troduced bills to repeal the commutation provisions of the.homestead laws and also repeal the desert land laws. These bills it 18 belleved are virtually administration measures, Major Lacey having had extended (Continued on Second Page.) CONDITION OF THE WEATHER Forecast for Nebraska—Snow and Warmer Tuesday. Wednesday, Probably Snow. Temperature at Omaha Yesterday: Hou Deg. How Degr. »oom s »om. o »om.. 10 m 1 1 10 10 10 10 « »om. SANTA FE TRAIN WRECKED Two Men Are Killed and Four Other Passengers Recelve In- Juries. KANSAS CITY, Dec, 8.~The westbound California Limited on the Santa Fe waas wrecked at Rothville, Mo., shortly aft noon today, causing the death of the en- gineer, Samuel Wise of Argentine, Kan., and his fireman, and great damage to the engine and coaches. John McKean of New York, who received slight bruises, was the only passenger in- jured. A colored walier had his arm | broken and two other waiters were in- jured. Congressman-elect George A. Loud of Michigan and Rabbi Hirsch of Chicago were among the passengers and helped to care for the injured. The wreck was caused by the coaches heing derailed on an open switch, which the engine had passed safely while the train was golng at a high rate of speed. Twenty-throe of the passengers were brought to this city on an accommodation | train at a iate hour tonight and most of them resumed thelr journey westward. The dead and injured were taken to Fort Mad- ison, Ia. FRAUD JURY IS DISCHARGED Denver Panel Freed from Duty He- cause Constitutional Amendment DENVER, Dee. 8.—Judge Carpenter today discharged tho grand jury drawn to inves- tigate alleged election frauds. This action was taken because of complications arising from the constitutional amendment abolish- ing Arapahoe county and creating the city and county of Denver. Another grand jury may be summoned after the supreme court gives a decision as to the validity of the amendment. The supreme court foday assumed original jurisdiction in the suit to test the amend- ment and a decision is expected within six weeks. CHEYENNE THEATER BURNED Wyoming Tribune and Other Property Also Damaged, Total Loss Reach- ing $75,000—Insured. CHEYENNE, Wyo., Dec. 8.—The Chey- enne opera housé, owned by James M. Carey and valued at $50,000, was burned today. The Wyoming Tribune Publishing company, which occupled the besement of the bullding, suffered a loss of $16,000. Adjolning property was and the total Joss I8 estimated at §75,000, which is covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown. About two score people were sleeping in the building when the fire was discovered at 4:45 o'clock, but all got out safely. OMAHA STOCKMAN IS FREED Colorado Governor Holds Reld Guilt- less of Criminal Intent in Vio- lating Stock Law. | DENVER, Colo., Dec. 8.—Goverpor Orman today pardoned E. | | rado state inspection law. Mr. Reld’s violation was for the purpose of testing the validity of the law, and as | there was no criminal intent the governor | intertered to prevent his punishment after the United States supreme court had af- firmed the judgment. ‘BR|TAIN- BUYS MORE MULES Hundred Thousand Ready to Ship to Transvasl and Like Number Will Follow. | MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 8.—Major Eck- | ersley of the British army passed through | Memphis tonight for Lathrop, Mo., where King Edward's government hus concen- trated 100,000 mules and horses to restock farms in the Transvaal. The shipment of | animals will begin on January 15. | Major Eckersley says it {s the Intention | of the government to make a second pur- | chase of equal size when the present ani- mals are shipped. ARMY HOLDS CONFERENCE nd Towa Join with Other city Nebraska States at Ka Convention, KANSAS CITY, Dec. 8—General Booth of the Salvation army spoke tonight to 5,000 people. He will remain here until Thurs- | day, participating in army councils. | ‘Three hundred field officers are present from Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, South Dakota, Colorado, Andian Territory, Oklahoma and Wyoming. From Kansas City General Booth will go to | Denver. LITTLE LAD HANGS HIMSELF Makes Rope of Bedclothes and Dies to Escape Industrial School. CLEVELAND, Dec. 8.—Forest Wheeler, a | 12-year-old boy, held in the county jail | awalting transportation to the State In- dustrial school, hanged himself to a steam- | pipe In his cell tonight. He used a rope made from his bed sheet- ing. | SEP————————— | Movements of Ocean Vessels Dec. 5. At Cherbourg—Arrived: Kalser Wilhelm | der” Grosse, from New York, via Ply- | mouth, for Hamburg, and proceeded; Pre | toria, 'trom New York | At Plymouth—Arrive | der Grosse, from New At Hong Kong—Sail Tacoma, vid Yokohama, At Hremen—Arrived: | Grosse. from New York At Glbraltar—Arrived York, for gollan, for Boston At Naples—Arrived: York Liverpool—Arrived: 1r Vi P87, om New At Fernando do Noranha—Passed: Lime Branch. from Portland, Ore., via Coronel, ete., for Queenstown. Kaiser Wilhelm rk. Glenogle, ete. Friederick for der Aller, from New non and Napies. Satled: Mon- New York; Pomeranian, for Palatla, from New Cevic, H. Reid of Omaha, a| wealthy stockman who was sentenced to | jail for six months for violating the Colo- | WAR MAY BE ON NOW British and German Diplomats Present Ultimatum to Venesuela. D FRIENDLY CRUISERS Try to Oolleot Bills Peaceably and Failing Withdraw, ENGLISH GOVERNMENT IGNORANT OF STEP Foreign Office Professes to Bxpeot Surrender Without Hostile Aots. SUPPOSE AMBASSADOR STILL AT CARACAS l'IINISTERS BOAR le Ereak Delays News & May Come Without Home Auth tles Knowing that Dema: Are Finally Refused. CARACAS, Dec. 8.—~The British minister, W. H. D. Haggard, and the German charge d'affaires, Herr von Pilgrim-Baltazsi, left Caracas at 3 this afternoon for La Gauira, where Mr. Haggard boarded the British cruiser Retribution and Herr von Pligrim- Baltazzi the German cruiser Vineta. Both legations have been closed. Yesterday the British minister and the German charge d'affaires deposited at the private residence of the foreign minister, Lopez Barralt, separate demands. The British being for settlement of claime and other matters arising from the last reve- lution, and the German for the payment of Interest on the loan and other claims, The demands are in the form of an ultimatum, but do not limit the time for an answer. Mr. Haggard took his secretary, Grant Duff, and the chancellor of the legation, Mr. Godfrey, with him to La Gauira, where they were met by thirty officers. Public Ofiices All Closed. The ministers left Caracas without pre- viously notifying the Venesuelan govern- ment, probably in order to avoid any hos- tile demonstration. Yesterday and today being festivals in Caracas all the publie offices are closed and it 1s impossible to seo any one in authority and may have led to the unprecedented step of handing in & de- mand of such a nature at a minister's pri- vate residence. The actual situation is incomprehensible here, as up to this morning no one appeamd <« know anything about the Anglo-German projected demonstration. The foreign minister sa'd he considered & menace on the part of Germany inadmis- sible and any threat would only be a feeler, while England has no ground for aggres- sion. Up to yesterday there were mo prepa tions indicating that the ministers in- tended to abandon their posts. The government has made no military preparations, as Venesuelan citizens con sidered the threat of a demonstration a bluff, and set aside the possibility of an Anglo-German demonstration, but one of the chief officers of the German ecrul Vineta mnth-u,n ra yesterday that a blodkade of ‘the comsts was lmminent. Castro Wars in Wor: The papers here publish an open letter from President Castro, in which he refuses to believe that Britain and Germany have allied themselves against his country. He claims to bave acted fairly and squarely to- ward all nations and concludes: Honorably, I cannot do more. I put honor first and will not seek excuses to disarm foolhardy ehmities by accepting humilia- | tions which would offend the dignity of the Venezuelan people and which are not in accord with my public life. The cause of our national dignity Is based on our rights and our possession of justice and on our relations of friendship and mutual respect with foreign nations. in in Ignoramce, London LONDON, Dec. 8.—Great Britain and Ger- many have presented ultimatums to Venez- { uela, which will Le followed by the selzure | of the customs unless a satistactory settle- ment {8 forthcoming. The ultimatums have no time limit, but it 1s understood a speedy reply s expected. The foreign office has issued an official statement as follows: Both notes are practically identical, al- though the amounts claimed differ. 'The notes merely reiterate the continued dis- regard by the Venezuelan government of all our representations, specify our claims and_demand immediate action on the part of President Castro’'s government in con- nection therewith. | Should the British ultimatum meet with | a hostile reception the British minister, W. H. D. Haggard, has been instructed to board a British cruiser, but no such action is ex- pected. Broken Cable Complicates Things. Complications have arisen, owing to the | inability of the foreign office to communi- cate with Mr. Haggard. Officials here be- lieve Le is still in Caracas, but owing to the #eported breaking of the cable they are ignorant es to what steps he is taking, or what the Venezuelan government intends to do. The foretgn oifice is hourly awalting im- portant dispatches from Caracas, but up to a late hour tonight none had arrived. While the government is rather worried at its inability to get an answer from Mr. Haggard, serious alarm {s not felt, espe- clally as the Venezuelan representatives are in a similar situation. In the meantime the foreign office dis- claims any desire to coerce Venezuels, and ys it was only the persistent and insulting disregard for all representations which | compelled the present move. An official sald tonight in this regard: It Is now too late In the day for any- thing but purely diplomatic arrangements. When the fleets have assembled there is scarcely time to deal with bankers and a financial settlement, which should have been suggested long ago and would have been welcomed by both Germany and our- selves. However, any bona fide proposi- tion will re careful attention, - Recon- struction In commerclal affairs {s always | better than lquidation, and if the recon- struction of the Venezuelan finances can be to the satisfaction of our dip) ims and individual losses both many and Great Britain wili have achieved their ends. Strong Measures May Result. Mr. Balfour, when questioned on the Venezuelan situation today by the liberal leader, Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, sald: For the past two years we have had grave cause for complaint on varlous occasions of unjustifiable interference by the Vene- zuelan government with the liberty and property of British subjects No effort has been spared by the British government (o obtain an amicable settle- ment of these cases, but in none of them have satisfactory explanations been forth- coming. Latterly the representations of the British minister have been practically unnoticed. There are also cases in which British subjects and companies have large claims. We haye been acting in conjunction with the Gefman government, which has large claims against the Venezuelans. A final communication has been made to the Venesuelan government by the British