Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, April 24, 1910, Page 1

N NEWS SECTION ) vaams oNEm O miGwr, THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE. P WEATHER FORECAST. For NEBRASKA-—Falr and cold For IOWA—Fair and cold For weather report see page 2. VOL. XXXIX—NO. 45. BETTER GUN MEN IN GERMAN ARMY Kaiser Wants Higher Quality of Marksmanship for His Sea Fichters. SHOOTING NOT UP TO THE MARK Results of Recent Target Practice Show Poorly. éao DISCIPLINE IS AT FAULT Individual Thinking Rigidly Stamped Out in Navy. HOME RULE TO ALSACE-LORRAINE Autonomy in Their Loeal Affairs Will He Granted Oltisens of the Two Colon Recovered from France. i b BY MALCOLM CLARKE. BERLIN, Aprll 2.—(Special Dispatch to The Bee.)—The kaiser and the German na- val authorities have become converted to the idea that in order to have a first clase navy #omething more is needed than the finest ships and most powerful giuns that human ingenulty can produce. They have come to a realizing sense that the nan is of fully as great 1f not greater importance than the machine if his war fleet 18 to become a really formidable fighting force. Recent maneuvers and flest tafget prac- tice 18 responsible for this awakening, The kalser is particularly exercised over the poor markmanship of his naval gun- ners. Even In the newer ships, mounting the latest pattern guns, and equipped with the most modern sighting and ranging appll- Ances, the number of hits scored was very disappointing. The gunnery records of the American and British navies are very eagerly scanned in Berlin, and the kaissr is. asserted to have spoken his mind very strongly upon the poor shooting achleved by his fleet. Will Change System. As a rosult, it Js probable that the pres- ent system of gun training In vogue in the | Ger: fleet will be radically altered. It 1§ asserted by those who are in a position 0 judge that both the gunnery officers and the gun crews themselves are equelly at fault. ‘The officers do not seem to exer- alse sufficlent care in ranging their target before giving the order to fire. The cap- tains of the gun orews, for their part, are tent to accept the range as given them tha control stations and not to eheck 1L for themselves. \ The position In the German navy today s this: In Milhelmshaven it possesses one of the largest and finest naval bases In the world, and & of any ' itude could be v lied by, now completing for the sea will be fully the equal of any warships et bullt. ana their guns will llkewise chaflenge compar- ison with British weapons. It is the personnel and the system of] training that is at fault, and here Germany 18 surpassed allke by the Amerfcan, the British and the Japanese. This has been admitted for some time past by many Ger- | man officers of experlence. The same rigld, oast-iron discipline that pervades the German army has been Introduced into the navy, and every rank has had its initia- tive and power of individual thought and | dectsfon studlously trampled out of it. ' 1 understand it is the purpose of the kalser to detall a number of bright young officers to make a careful study in Eng- 1and, dapan and Ameriea of naval discl- pline ahd the development of naval gun- nery and that sweeping reforms will be n system. Home o an the Rhlme. Al-'n-u.::- will soon be granted home rule, according to belief n best in- |formed circles bere. While the people of the Reichland have not in prineiple ac- capted the right of Germany {o annex their country against its will, the irreconcilables have died out and the autonomists who have replaced them recognize , the fait accompll and declare that ff they must | form part of the German confederation, | they should enjoy the same privileges as the other states. That is to say, that they | should have'a diet for the enacting of gisiation, should be represented on v a ptince or statthalter mominatd for life. This would allow Alsace-Lorraine to majn- tain jts national life and traditions, in- stead of having continual efforts made to crush them out of existence. The imperial government, I understand, have about reac the conclusion that this is the best solution of the question and soon will put a plan of autonomous government into eftect. ; Berlin te Expand. It present indications go for snything. London will have to look to her laurels or she will have to give place to Berlin as the t and ‘most populous city in the world. Two prizes of $5,00 each have just wen awarded by the municipal council of Berlin to & couple of architects, who were successful in a competition, for pro- ducing adequate plans for the expan- sion of the city. Berlin has at present, uding immediate suburbs, a population | 3,000,000, but it {8 proposed to transform the o) an agglomeration 00 of t The preject un increase of radius from thirty miles, and provides for the vation of wooeds, the laying dewn of Tail- ways, and other means of rapid gemiuni- cation, the mapping out of broad avenues, and the construction of hygienic buildings, rendering Berlin not only equal, if not su- perior to London in- vastness ad popu- lation, but very much handsomer, cleaner, apd more comfortable, Mormon Misslouaries Expelled. Mormon missionaries are not wanted in Germany. The kingdom of Saxony has Just expelled five aposties as undesirable _sllens. The Mormons bave carriéd on an @etive propogands in Europe, and espe- glally in Germany, during the last ten years, and they have induced & number of § mostly women, 0 enugrate tu of thelr erted wnd to “‘ of lite. Training for Children. A Derlin doctor has just published a vol- lume in which he makes some novel state- train: | Council Blufts, Ia., OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNI Omaha Protests Charges to North Coast Unequal Complaint to Interstate Commerce Commission Other Cities Get Lower Rates. WASHINGTON, April 23.—Freight rates on graln from Omaha, South Omaha and to points of destination In the New England territory are alleged In a complaint filed today with the Inter- state Commerce commission by the Omaha Graln exchange against the Baltimore & Ohlo Rallroad company and forty-two other eastern carriers to be unreasonable and extortionate. The rates from these points of origin to New York and Philadelphla are not complained of, but the allegation is made that the through rates from Omaha com- mon points to points of destination In New England territory, north of Boston, are so high that Omaha shippers cannot compete with grain shippers who are afforded lower rates to that territory. A conflict In commerce between two im- portant western cities was developed to- day when the Sioux City Terminal Elevator company and the Board of Trade of Sioux City, Ia., filed a complaint With the Inter- state Commerce commission against the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Ralliroad company and other carrlers. The desire of the complainants is to have Sigux City made by the commission & basing point of freight rates. The com- plainants allege that Sioux City Is dls- criminated against and that Its freight Tates are unreasonable as compared with those glven by the raliway companies to Omaha, Neb. The complaint requests that rates similar to those given to Omaha be glven also to shippers of Sioux City. ! Socialists Are to Control Aftairs in Two Continents Prof. Kautsky Makes Prediction Regarding the Conditions Here Fifty Years Hence. — BERLIN, April 28.—(8pecial Cablegram.)| ~—Prof. Karl Kautsky, the famous soclal- ist, made the prediction today that within fitty years Europe and America would be ruled by sociallsts and that Russia would be a republic. The interview granted by Prof. Kautsky followed an article pub- lished earlier in the week from, his. pen, in which he predicted that Germany would soon be under the complete control of men with soclallstic tendencies. “The new conditions will mean a catas- Ry m'fl-"‘ ?}'t’r:‘.‘??-""- sald he. “T do not mean hat to pdl vancs of soclallsm in both Burope and America. Twenty years ago the rule was to confuse socialism with & mild form of, anarchy and this view was propagated by the foes of soclalism, People have been educated and they know better now. “The soclalists must move conservatively. As one eminent soclalist In America s recently. ‘Soclallsm is on trial before the world.! A blunder now will set socialism beck twenty years. As we gain strength and converts we must carry out our propa- gundas with general force. ; “Capitalists fear, or profess to fear the approach of sociallsm. Indeed, it would bo better for capitgl, If soclalism were the prevailing - power. “Conditions breed soclalism just as much as the party spreads its own strength. Within fitty years Russia will be a re- publie and eventually it will be a soclal- istic one, although that may be very far in the future.” & Abbot Called on Roosevelt b <8 e m— BRUSSELS, April 23,—The clroumstances surrounding the retirement of Abbot Law- rence Janssens from the post of secretary of the Congregation of Religlous Affalrs are given a somewhat different color in reports recelved here, where much interest has been excited because of the fact that the abbot is a Belgian. According to these reports the secretary did not willingly resign his office until he was summoned by Cardinal Merry Del Val and thrcatened with dismissal If he did not resign at once. N The abbot's offense Is sald to have been und In the call which he made on Mr. elt following the latter's decision not to visit the pope. lBELGIAN RULER A JOURNALIST - Identity m Writ- il of Man Who Has Anonymous Article Economie Subjects. —_— BRUSSELS, April .—(Special Dispatch 10 The Bee.)—Belgium has lost & very able Journallst, For several years an influential Belglan journalist has been publishing anonymous articles on economlc subjects, which revealed an Wtimate acquaintance with the world's commeree, and a work- ing knowledge of the princlpal ports of Europe and America. Those butions bave now ceased. and the of the articlos has been revealed. His Majesty Albert I has new no time for journalism. BALLINGER T0 BE VICTIM OF PLOT? Conspiracy Involving Gifford Pinchot and Subordinates Alleged by Defense. GEORGE OTIS SMITH ON STAND | Tells of Conversation with Acting Forester Price. REPEATS STATEMENT OF LATTER “We Like You, but We Do Not Like Your Chief.” FURTHER PLOTTING AVERRED Witness Quotes Him as Sayi We Don’t Get Him, Balll; One Way We Wil An- other,” vt WASHINGTON, April 23—With the evi- dent purpose of showing there was a con- spiracy between Clifford Pinchot as chief forester and certain of his subordinates to accomplish the removal of Secretary Bal- linger, the ‘“defense” in the Ballinger- Pirchot investigation today put on the stand Dr. George Otls Smith of the geo- logical survey to relate a conversation he had last September with Acting Forester Price. Mr. Smith swore Mr. Price had sald to him that “We like you, but we don't I'ke your chiet." Smith sald he intimated in reply that if he did not llke Mr. Ballinger he would resign as director of the geological survey. “Well, we know you are in an embar- rasing position,” said ‘the witness, quot- Ing Price, “‘but it won't last much longer. It we don’t get him one way, we'll get him anothes The *defense” regards this an’ important disclopure, Indicating that If Pinchot wére unsuccessful in bringing about Ballinger downfall by proving the Glavis charges, he was preparéd to attack him from an- Ogher quarter. How Claims Were Loeated. Mr. Smith occupfed the stand during the entire morning session with the exception of the first half hour, during which C. C. Heltman, former chief of the mineral division of the land office, told how claims were clear listed. Mr. Smith's testimopy deait with the relations of his department to the forest service In conservation matters. He was still on the stand under direct examina- tion when the luncheon recess was taken. In order to accelerate the progress of the Inquiry, the committee decided today to hold sessions on Thursday, Friday and Baturday of next week. ;. Three Sesstons a Week. | Ohideman jn announced at the was refiched regarding Attorney Brandels’ request for permission to recall witnesses, Mr, Heltman, whose divislon was one of those which had to do with the ‘*‘clear listing” of the Cunningham claims, de- scribed the various steps taken in .such o precedure. His testimony was largely technical In fts nature and neither the at- torneys for the ‘‘prosecution” nor mem- bers of the committee displayed much de- sire to Interrogate him. George Otis Smith, director of the geo- logical survey which is under the Interior | department was the next witness called, Mr. Smith had charge of rewithdrawals of water power sites by Secretary Ballin- ger. While Mr. Smith was telling of ‘a dis- agreement he had with Forester Pinchot, who, he sald, had threatened him with the “‘publicity club” if he falled to carry out hie conservation ideas, Chairman Nelson Interrupted: Y “Isn’t that a part of the conservation poliey?” “1 don't regard it as an essential part, but it seems to have been a part,” re- plied the witness. Mr. Smith then entered into a denuncla- tion of newspapers and magasines which | told only “partial truths,” but relieved the publications from the responsibility by de- claring that the extravagant statements' glven out to the press have hurt the con-| servation movement, Mr. Smith told of a conversation he had With Assistant Forester Price on Septem- | ber 18, 1. Mr. Price was then acting forester in the absenée of Mr. Pinchot, | “Mr. Price sald to me when I entered his office: ‘You're all right, Smith, but 1| don't Ike your chlef, sald Mr. Smith.| 'When 1 told him that I alan't come over to discuss that he sald agaln, ‘You're all| right, but 1 don't Mke your chief.' “We WIll Get Him.” “1 replied that if he did not like my coat I would take it off. Price then re- plied: ‘Oh, I realize you are in an embar. rassing position, but it won't last long, It we don't get him one why, we will an- other." " “To whom did Mr. Price. refer? fn. Quired Mr. Madlson of the committe. “Mr. Ballinger,” replied the witne: Calls Balllnger a ““Yellow Dog,” At the afternoon session Director Smith told of a meeting with Pinchot n the lat- ter's office on July 2, 1909, during which the chief forester had charged him with “downright disloyalty’ to his former chiet, Mr. Garfleld. He said’ Pinchot acgused him of glving out newspaper interviews ‘re- flecting on the last administration,” on the subject of water power sites and other public land matters. - Declared ) “What's that procession of automobiles going along over there?’ inquired the old- time policeman, us the Johnson party swung into Sixteenth street from Dougias Friday afternoon. “Huh, don't you all know wat dat is sniffed & young negro, as he eyed the old- timler with disgust. “Dat's de Jeflries tuneral, an' dat blg cullud fellah In the front suterin'blle is de undertakah w'at will offsyate at de obiquities next Ju-u-ly," with the sccent on the last word. “What are you (alking about, hoy?" asked the old-timer, In evident perplexity, “Lat's Jack Johnson, man,” sald the Doy, as if the of the name sutficed. Mistah jbhnson’s Parade is effries’ Funeral UAnd who's Jack Johnson? persistea the old-timer, with & wink at the little &roup now gathered. “Is he the discoverer of the comeb, or what?" “Who's Jack Johnson! What yo' ben all dis time, o' man? He's de cullud man Wats goin' to knock Jim Jeffries' block off w'en fie gits in de ring on de! fort' o July. We's all bettin' on him, for shuh.' “Oh, that's who it is, eb?" retorted the old one. “Weil, me boy, atter that fight he'll be coming back In & box car packed In ice” ‘Oh, shucks, yo' don't kprow nuthi shoutcd the colored boy, as he ambled on, disgusted through and through, A g, Sy, e G, APRIL 24, 1910—8IX SECTIONS—FORTY PAGES. SINGLE Last Week in Omaha 1185 NEBRASEA-"NOW YOU STAY WHERE YOU 'RE PUT 14 al/ s lindds ."r\'/'?/ / it iy Local Events as They Appear to The Bee's Artist, AT THE BIER OF MARK TWAIN Successor to Take Up Work of Dead Humorist. EULOGIES SPOKEN IN NEW YORK NEW YORK, April 23.—(Speeial Tele- gram.)—The possibility that Santuel Lang- horne Clemens (Mark Twain) appointed his own. successor iIn the fleld of American literature, it it can be sald that the late sage and humorlst can have a’successor, was started by the announicement that his uncompleted manuscript will be completed according to expressed wishes laid down by Mr. Clemens before his death, Before the shock of Mark Twain's death had begun to spend itself literary men had begun to inquire who would follow in the footsteps of the great American author, but the Interest attached to the wishes of Mark Twain in this respect are not co- fined to literary circles. In the army of readers who knew Twain through his books and loved him for his humor and true Americanism there 15 positively a larger interest. Who will be the successor of the famous humorist? It is understood that Mr. ‘Clemens ex- pr the wish that his tasks bp com- pxeuazenmr by one writer, or by several in collsboration, but the strictest injunc- ton was that”the manuscript should not he touched by any savt an American, His Unfinished Work, In the lbrary at Stormfield, where Mr. Clemens spent the declining years of his life are a number of stories and sketches, some slight and some pretentious, which were started and never finished. Some are hastily outined in skeleton form -and others are néarly completed, Mr. Clemens aia not exert himseif in hig task, for he was il and the weakness of sickness had sapped inspiration from his mind. He only worked when ‘the spirit moved him, a1 he sald himself. Ho added in"his whimsi- cal'manner that he mever before realized how lazy-a spirit could be under the cir- cumstances, But as the humorist grew feebler, he turned serious attention toword his uncompleted labor, and as he realized that he would likely never touch- it again, (Continued jon Second Page.) s Turn to the want ad pages. See' what is going on. You will find the very thing that you need, no doubt. In these pages employers find servants—servants find homes. Landlords find tenants—tenants find houbes. % Bargains that you haven't thought of are listed in these pages. ‘What has been lost, is here. What has been found, is here. Altogether, it will be inter- esting for youn to wade through it today. It may be that you will call Douglas 238 tonight yourself, Congress Will Adjourn by the © Middle of June Administration Leaders Expect to RO t Time. i p—— ~WABHINGTON, Aprfl l-du':‘ will a@jouryy hefore, the lo of June POS- sibly by June 1, lz 1) ved Yy President Taft and the administration leadérs. And befors that time {t 18 expected most of the sosealled administration measures now be- fore congress will have been passed, or, if not, they would be in such shape that they can: be enacted info law soon after congress meets n December. Operating in favor of the early passage of ‘the five administration bills, which are the rafiroad bill, the statehood hill, the postal savings: bank bill, the conservation bill ana the anti-injunction Bill, are two factors. One is the fact'that a number of republican members of each house wish to get back home as soon as possible to pro- pare for the coming congressional elections, Another s that the passage of measures advocated In the republican program is the surest way, the leaders belleve, of pre- venting further ' democratic congressional inroads. The statehood bill has passed the house, one. conservation bill has passed the senate and the anti-injunction. bill is almost ready to be reported favorably to the house. Of the five measures, the postal savings bank bill, the president has been told, is in the greatest danger, for-although It has passed the senate, it will have a rough time, it s sald, In the house committee on postoffices and post roads, to which it was referred. Crafters Raise Defense Fund Charge that Indicted Men at Pitts- burg Are Trying to Tamper with Jury. PHIUADBLPHIA, April 2.—That some men implicated In the counclimenic’ scan- dal have raised a large fund to defeat the ends of justice and that the present panel trom which will be chosen jurors:to hear the cases, is being tampered with, were al- legations made to the state supreme court today by District Attorney Willlam “A. Blakley of Allegheny county. Mr. Blakley made his charges in filing an answer to the petition of Max G. Leslie, ‘delinguent tax collector of Allegheny county, Indicted | iyqeq, | in the scandal, who wants a change cf venue. i CITIZENSRIP IN A REPUBLIC Colonel Roogevelt Delivers Lecture in the Sarbonne at Paris. ACHIEVEMENT OFLY IS GOO! Critics Are Parasites Who Are En- titled to No Oredit—Property Be- Jongs (o Man, Not Mun to Property. PARIS, April 25.—Theodore Roosevelt, former president of the United States, de- livered his eagerly awaited lecture on “‘Citizenship in a Republic,’ in the Sar- bonne this afternoon. His dudience was composed of all of the members of the French cabinet, students selected from the University of Paris and many distinguished guests, by whom the occasion was regarded a8 the most important feature of the dis- tinguished American’s visit to France. In the course of his address, Mr. Roose- velt made referencé to the subject of human rights, and property rights in the following -paragraphs: My position s regards the moneyed in- terests can be put in a few words. In every - givilized soclety property rights must be carefully safoguarded. Ordinarily and in the great majority of cases human rights and property rights are fund mentally and, in the long run, identical; but when it clearly appears that there ix @ real dontlict between them, human rights must have the upper hand; for property belongs to men and not man to property.’ Spends Day in Latin Quarter. Mr. Roosevelt spent today in the ol Latin quarter across the Seine, which for centurles has been one cf the centers of the world. At 1 o'¢clock this afternoon in his capacity as a forelen member of th> French Institute, he attended the regular session of the Academy of Moral and Po litical - Sclences in the conference hal of the old Laragin palace, which Is now the home of the Institute. This room was se- lected instead of the smalier room in which the “forty immortals” meet, in order to permit the public to enter and begause it Is the usual meeting place of three of the academles, the Academy of Fine Arts, th» Academy of Inscriptions and literature 1and the Academy 'of Moral and Political Sclences. Although Mr. Roosevelt is entitled to wear the green brocaded uniform of an acedemiclan, he appeared today in his familier frock coat dress. At 3 o'clock he delivered his lecture in the Grand Amphl- theater of the Sarbonne, “vhere he was cordially recelved. HTz rks were fol- lowed with intense Interesi Emile Boutroux, who presided, after the customary routine business had been con- nddressed the academy on the re- (Continued on Second Page.) How Big is Omaha? What Some People Think About It .Ooor£ Carter, 1200 N. 28 les Weeth, 3701 N, Earle 1 .Earl W8 8. k Kotera, 1318 Martha W, L. Ji » N. Y, Life |1 [Willlam M. Whesler, Lincoin T, L. Hall, Council Bluffs Mildred Benson Ruth Mc 3 3 Vietor L. Graham, €29 N. 3§ argarst 8. Ci Lizzie AEREERE 32EE3LRE . A Joy rtls L. L. Dayis, ‘Councii Bu J. Barker, 632 BESE eSS o Willlams, Grant Mrs. E. Stevenson, Sou +.Willlam _Bulcher, York wick, York T gunbad. Loons 138,048, 18 | 158, 1 G. W. Winshj & W Jinship, 2081 Frankiin erwood, Oxford or, 312 Burdette Alfred Benson. Minden “Ralpk Wyman, 316 California Zora Conner, 1015 Webster G. Rustigaard, Lincoln Busle Augusiin, Osceoln W; Bwan, University Place irneat Crowdes, Fr B.'F. Ochenen, Falttax, 8 1 J. P. O'Connor, 218 & . C._Straube, ¥ Doru]: , Blue Hill ourl Valiey Burdette attsmouth W. H. . C. Peterson, A, B. Collins, 3. B, Owen, 8536 Se B. W, Cochran, Denver The Census Man Is Countlns Now. 4 cory FIVE CENTS. SALEM IS ALMOST A MASS OF RUINS Fire from a Housewife's Kitchen Destroys Greater Portion of the Town. HIGH WIND HELPS FAN FLAMES For Six Hours the Blaze Sweeps ‘on | in Its Fury. ONE HUNDRED ARE HOMELESS Number of People Are Injured, but None Fatally, BUSINESS HOUSES ARE GONE Loss Estimated at More Than Quarter of Million Business Dollars, Inel Hounes Residences. SALEM, Neb., April 23.—(Special Tele- gram.)—8alem 18 In ruins tonlght. Fire starting In the ' overheated oven of a {housewite's kitchen swept over the vil- |lage this afternoon and in eix hours the entire business district and a large por- {tlon of the residence section was de- stroyed. The 10ss |s estimated at between $250,000 and $800,000, with but small in- |surance. Ome hundred people, homeless, |are ‘being quartered with the farmers about the village and at Falls City. Twenty or more persons are injured, none serfously. Four were burned in a dyna- {mite explosion at m hardware store. 1 Some of the Loases. The ‘principal business institutions de stroyed were: ool L Dowell, general merchandise, §26,- Shildneck Bros., hardware, $20,000. Bank of Salem '(papers safe), $5,000. Carsh & Co., general merchandis ) $5.000, Malone & Fearson, restaurant, $5,000. Salem Mutual Telephone = company, {85,000, N i theastern Nebraska Telephorie come . $5,000, Nebraska Telephone company, $500. Snyder & Parrish, druggists, $1,000. A partial list of residence properties de- stroyed are those belonging to FE, P, Emmert, A. Snyder, C. M. Coffed, F, H. Brisl, S. E. Stouffer, Joseph Windle, |George Vanderberg, James Klarry, Whde Whitten, farm house; Methodist Eplsco- pal church, $3,600. Those injured in the hardware store ex- plosion. were: John MeCool. 8. E. Btouffer. F. H. Brigl. M. L. Dowell. Bfforts of Workers Unavailinw. The' flames swept across the town, fanned by a strong northwest wind. The efforts of @ bucket brigade, composed bf every able-bodied person in the village and fifty automobile loads of men from Falls City and vieinity, were futile. The conflagre- tlan mowed down all in fts path through the edge of tho town, leaving nothing be- hind but the embers in its wake. Dynamite in a hardware store explod- ing, threw & vast volume of sparks and burning lumber into the alr, causing in- jury to six persons. The volley of sparks from this mighty blast was carried far with the wind, From this source the home of Wade Whitten, a wealthy farmer live ing more than a mile distant, was fired. His home, barns and stock were entirely destroyed, Incurring & loss of probably $10,000. No loss of lite has been discovered. Virgll Grinstead, clerk, while fighting the fire at M. L. Dowell's hardware store, where he was employed, fell through the roof to the burnimg Interfor, but escaped with ‘his lite, though badly burned, Dynamite Explodes. Falling to the floor of the burning store, Grinstead crept to the door to fall faint- Ing into the arms of F. H. Brizl, one of the bucket brigade fighting the fire out- side. He was painfully injured, but not dangerousiy, While scores of fire fighters were en- gaged in throwing water over the Shild- neck hardware store the dynamite in the basement exploded, showering them with burning timbers, The blast spread the flames still farther across the town. The resultant fire at the ionie of Wade Whitten was not dls- covered until two hours later by the towa tolk. The fire started at the home of C. M. Coffee at 12:30 o'clock. Mrs. Coffee was baking bread. The kitechen range became overheated and communicated the flami to the walls of the dwelling. _Before aid could be called the entire house was in flames, which spread before the wind, fir- Ing halfa dozen other homes in the space of a few minutes. It was soon apparent that the entire town was endangered. A call for help w telephoned to Falls City, seven miles Al tant. . The fire and smoke was already visible at that distance. In the course of the afterncon fifty automobiles came from Valls City and the surrounding coun- tryside. The additional help was of little avail, however, as the fire fighting ap- paratus available was confined to buckets and tubs. Water could only be obtalned om wells and clstirns. Practically the only successful combal with the flames was at the Methodist Erfscopal church where but a two-thirds loss was sustained. The damage is esti- mated at $2,60) to the church, Rescue by Automobile. All communications to the outside save tI'rough ths Burlington's telegraph wires at the station, three-quartery of a mile dis- tant from the town proper, was cut off when the offices of the three telephone | companies were attacked by the conflagra- ;| tton. Automobiles, , running between Salem and Falls City tonight ,are carrying away the people whose homes have been de- stroyed, to places of refuge. Many have been temporarily cared for at the homes of the couniry people of the vicinity. Bven approximate estimetes of the loss to the vuiagoe are aifficult tonight. The Insurance policies carvied are small and scattering and will cover bute smalj fraction of the Icsses. In the destruction of several of the elghteen homos burned, families have Icst their all. ‘Yhe dwellings lost averaged not than #1000 each in value. Ald to the Injured was rendered by Dr, B, L. Green, Dr. H. R. Minor and Dr, Griffiih of Falls City, who came early with the column of automobiles which brought reinforcements. An examination lgte tonight found the coptents of the safe and vaults of the Bank of Balem unharmed., The safes 0on- aindd most of the records and documents of value