Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 356, 29 October 1909 — Page 1

EICHMONB PAIXAJDIUM STD oUX-TELEGR A M. VOL. XXXIV. NO. 35G. RICHMOND, IXD., FRIDAY EVEXIXG, OCTOBER 29, 1909. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS.

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DHEPW&TEBWAY

President Taft Is Due to Arrive in New Orleans Tomorrow "Morning at 8 O'clock, and With Him Will Be a Group of National Notables, Including Thirty-three Governors, More Than One Hundred and Fifty Congressmen, United States Senators, Foreign Diplomats and Representatives of Eight South and Central American Republics.

MILLIONS NEEDED ACCOMPLISH WORK THAT IS PLANNED Recent Trip of the Battleship Mississippi Emphasized the Necessity of Improving the Father of Waters. PART OF CHANNEL IS ALREADY COMPLETED Session to Be Held in New Orleans Is the Fourth Annual Convention of the Deep Waterways Association.

(American News Service) New Orleans, La., Oct. 29. When the United States battleship Mississippi made its recent trip up the Mississippi river to Natchez, it laid emphasis upon the propositions that are to be advanced at the Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Waterway convention, for which President Taft and a big company of law-makers and other no- . tables gather here tomorrow. Five hundred million dollars is the amount estimated to be reciuired to make a fourteen-foot channel from Chicago to New Orleans. A sum somewhat less than this, but staggering in amount, is wanted for the ninefoot channel which would serve purposes of ordinary commerce. At present the channel depth varies from 100 feet to five, and, in times of low water, the river is often impassable, in places, for boats of even the lightest draft Chicago to Jollet. Prom Chicago to Joliet the channel is actually completed. From Chicago to St. Louis the route was surveyed in 1904, by federal engineers acting under orders from congress, and declared feasible. From St. Louis to New Orleans a similar survey and report was made in 1908. Three-fourths of the states of the union would be served by this channel, it is claimed. It has been hoped that the 35-foot channel at Southwest pass would be ready for the convention, but the date of opening this new mouth of the Mississippi is still some months away. It will afford safe ingress to even the largest ocean steamships, without the tortuous winding and danger of sand bars that characterize the mouth at present in use the South pass. Thi3 pass has a depth of from 25 to 28 feet. Spend Six Millions. The initial depth of the Southwest pass will be but 29 feet Since it was surveyed, in 1S98, the government has spent six millions thereon. Col. Lansing Beach, the government engineer in charge of the construction work here, estimates that the channel will be opened by the end of the year. He now has in charge the construction of a monster dredge, ' costing $750,000, and the largest in the world, for use in clearing the channel. The Mississippi entered the tfiannel with a draft of about 22 feet The "run to Natchez was made easily and at good speed, and constituted a triumph for the river advocates. The session here is the fourth annual convention of the Lakes-to-the-Oulf Deep Waterways association. At the 1907 convention, President Roosevelt declared to the seventeen governors who accompanied him that the United States should build this waterway by issuing bonds, is necessary, v At the 190S convention, in Chicago, President Taft gave warm endorsement to the project The Waterway Work. The deep waterway work is in this condition. The sanitary district of Chicago has built the waterway to Joliet, forty miles, at a cost of sixty millions. The route through the Des riaines. the Illinois aud the Mississippi has been surveyed; Illinois has adopted a constitutional amendment providing an issue of twenty millions to extend the channel southward from Joliet; a bill providing a bond issue of five hundred millions, by Congressman Bartholdt, is pending in congress; the sixty-first longress will be asked to pass a bill providing funds, and undertaking, on behalf of the government, the completion of the river channel from the point where the

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Illinois work leaves off to the Gulf of Mexico. The 1.200 mile cruise of the presidential party down the Mississippi river from St. Louis to New Orleans constitutes the most remarkable public junket in the history of the nation. More national and state executives and lawmakers are called together by this trip than at any other time with the possible exception of congressional sessions in Washington. To Arrive Tomorrow. With President Taft on the trip and due to arrive here at 8 a. m., tomorrow, are the presiding officers of the senate and house of representatives, twenty senators, thirty-three governors and more than 150 congressmen, besides hundreds of delegates from various parts of the nation, named to represent public bodies at the waterways convention. Prominent among these public men are eight representatives of Central and South American republics. Bight stops were scheduled between St. Louis and New Orleans, and to make preparations for receptions at these various places, the Atlantic torpedo boat flotilla preceded the presidential fleet. The fleet, as it left St Louis, was the most imposing that ever steamed down the Mississippi river. Following the toriedo boat flotilla came the steamer Oleander, on which were the president and members of his party. Strung out behind the Oleander were other vessels of the fleet, steaming at some distance apart at a rate of from twelve to fifteen miles an hour. The steamer Erastus Wells, carrying the Secretary of War, Postmaster-General Hitchcock, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Nagel and Mayor Kriesman of St. Louis, had the place of honor next to the president's boat. The other boats of the fleet steamed down the river as follows:" Old Roosevelt Ship. Steamer Mississippi, carrying members of the Mississippi river Commission and the. United States Army and state engineers. (The Mississippi was the Roosevelt fleet flagship when Colonel Roosevelt went down the river several years ago.) The steamer St. Paul, carrying thirty-three state executives, special guests of the Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Waterway Association, and the numerous newspaper men. Speaker Lily, with the foreign diplomats and Central and South American representatives. Steamer Quincy, carrying Speaker Cannon, members of Congress and John Barrett, director of the International Bureau of American republics. Steamer Alton, with members of the St. Louis Business Men's League. Steamer Saltillo, with officials of the Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Waterway Association. Steamer Cape Girardeau, carrying East St Louis, Missouri, Alton and Belleville deep waterway delegates and their wives and ladies. Steamer Hill, with members of the Chicago Deep Waterways Convention and members of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. Steamer Eagle, carrying members of the Kansas City deep waterways delegation. Other steamers joined the flotilla at various points, among them the steamer Illinois, carrying members of the Illinois legislature and state officials; the steamer Grand, carrying the Little Rock delegation; the Rapids, carrying an Arkansas delegation; the Florence II., carrying representatives of a Chicago newspaper. TERRIBLE DISASTER Worst Tragedy in the History Of Welsh Mining Is Reported. FORTY MEN IMPRISONED (American News Service) Cardiff, Wales, Oct 20.-One of the worst disasters in the history of Welsh mining occurred today in a pit near Bargoed, when a terrible explosion imprisoned forty men. Efforts to orescue the imprisoned men were immediately begun, but it was believed, judging from the situation about the mouth of the mine, the task is hopeless. Nineteen men, who were near the surface, were saved. They- reported that from the brief glimpses they had into the inferno in the mine below, their companions were doomed. Rescuing parties were organized immediately, all of the inhabitants of Bargoed joining. Works from other points in the vicinity, swelled the band and within a short time hundreds were oa the scene.

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SATURDAY OPERATOR GIVES EVIDENCE AGAINST RALPH M'DOtlALD E. S. Johnson, the Collinsville Agent, Testifies at Coroner's Inquest in Damaging Way to Richmond Man. M'DONALD IN DENIAL OF GRAVE CHARGES My God, I Left That Switch Open" Is Remark McDonald Said to Have Made When No. 18's Whistle Blew (Palladium Special) Hamilton, Ohio, Oct. Coroner Burnett began his inquest today into the Collinsville wreck of October '22. Ralph McDonald, head brakeman on freight No. 7o, on whom Superintendent Nef f fixed the blame, testified that he had not been nearer than of feet to the switch on the day of the wreck. He said that he had no occasion to ap proach it, and he claimed that he threw the derail and walked around the west end of the elevator and into the station to await the passing of passenger train No. IS. E. S. Johnson, the substitute station agent at Collinsville, directly contradicted McDonald. He testified that McDonald was in the station when No. IS approached and cried out "My God, I left that switch open Johnson testified that he saw a member of the crew of SI close the switch when that train left the siding. He did not notice which one. The entire crew of t No. SJ will testify this after noon. RUPE BLAMES M'DONALD. But Young Railroader Insists That He Is Innocent. John L. Ruie, local attorney for the Pennsylvania railroad stated this morning that he was positive Ralph McDonald, head brakeman on freight train No. 75, opened the switch that caused such a catastrophe at Collinsville, O. Mr. Rupe has been making an investigation and declares that the evidence proves conclusively to his mind that the blame has been properly placed and that McDonald threw the switch, probably in a moment of abstraction, without realizing what he was doinsAccording to Mr. Rupe, witnesses have been procured who testified to the fact that McDonald was in the station at Collinsville when the whistle of No. 18 blew, and who " declare that McDonald with the ejaculation, "My God, the switch is open," sprang for the door and ran out of the depot in the direction of the switch. It is alleged by Mr. Rupe that McDonald admits throwing the derail and in order to have done that, must, of necessity, have been near the switch. Peculiar Incident. Another peculiar incident in connection with the affair which tends to prove that McDonald opened the switch, it is said, is the fact that if the switch had been left open, the engineer of freight No. 75 and firemaa also would surely have noticed it and reported the matter to the operator, calling his attention to the act of tne carelessness. If McDonald did realize that he had left the switch open while he was 'n the station talking to the operator, and ran out of the depot in the direction of the switch, on hearing the whistle of No. 18, as witnesses say he did, it bears out the assertion of a farmer who chanced to be in the vicinity of the station at the time of the wreck and who stated that he saw a man running towards the switch, frantically waving a lantern. . t In an Interview with McDonald, this afternoon, he declares that there is just as much probability that the engineer and fireman of freight No. 75 would see him throw the switch, as there is that they would notice the switch was left standing open. McDonald deplores the fact that Fireman Jack son and Conductor Brown of the freight train were given a two and three weeks lay off, respectively, claiming that it is an injustice, and that both of the men were at their places of duty. He stated that had they left their places they would have met the same fate of the others who were killed. McDonald refused to state upon whom he thought the responsibility of the catastrophe should be placed. He declared, however, that the crew of the last train to leave the switch was usually responsible for the condition of the switch, and it was their business to see that it was closed. Freight train No. 81 was the last to leave the switch and McDonald asserts that It was the business of the rear brakeman and conductor of that train to (Continued on Page Seven.)

SOUTH EIGHTH ST.

Ill BAD CONDITION Street Car Company Repairs Lines, But Fails to Repair the Street. RESIDENTS ARE KICKING IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE THOR OUGHFARE IS NOW DANGER OUS NO RED LIGHTS ARE DIS PLAYED AT NIGHT. Residents of South Eighth street are vigorously complaining: over the condition of the street, primarily due to the failure of the street car company to place It In proper repair after making repairs to its line. It is alleged that if some one is injured by debris now scattered about the street the street car company and also the city would be liable to damages, the latter because the proper danger signals are not displayed at nights. To point out the numerous places where the street is dangerous would require a legal complaint. Early this week the company sent out a squad of men and they immediately set to work tearing; up the street at regular intervals. The holes made in the macadam were particularly large. The squad did not leave the holes open but the same evening filled them up with the dirt removed that day. Too Much In a Hurry. The men seemed to be more In a hurry to complete the repair work than to do it well. It appears that they, were very indiscriminate as to the condition which they left the street for it would require about a dozen red lights in every square to warn people. The mounds left by the company's workmen are much higher than the street proper and are sufficient to cause a horse to stumble. The workmen were also careless about replacing the large rocks and some of these were deposited on top of the mounds while others were left lying in the street. The street Is especially dangerous to bicycle riders, owing to the presence of the rocks and mounds. Besides being unsafe, the street is noticeable for its unsightly appearance. Any resident along the street will complain about the numerous occasions that the street has been torn up by the company and not properly repaired. S EXECUTED TODAY Columbus, O., Oct 29. Harry E. Crooks, 47 years old, a Dayton painter, was electrocuted in the penitentiary at 12:10 a. m., today. He was pronounced dead officially at 12:15 a. m.. by Dr. J. W. Clark, chief physician of the prison. After singing the last verse of "God be with you till we meet again," Crooks was led to the death chair and electrocuted. Crooks said the governor had made a mistake this time. PILGRIM IS PROUD Harry Pilgrim, pressman at the Nicholson Printing company, on North Ninth street. Is perhaps the proudest man in the city at present. .The stork left a big, baby boy at his home the other night, which is the second child in the family.

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TAFT AND DIAZ AT EL

GOES TO CAPITAL TO WITNESS THE AIRCRAFT TRIAL R. G. Leeds and Three Other Richmond Men Left This Morning to See Flight of the New Bumbaugh Dirigible. PALLADIUM'S EDITOR PLANS PURCHASE ONE If the Balloon Operates Successfully He Will Probably Buy It or Place An Order for Its Duplicate. R. G. Leeds, of this city, like hundreds of other Americans, has become enthused over aerial navigation. He is ambitious to own either a dirigible balloon or an aeroplane, and to become a 6ky pilot. The chances are that he will soon be the owner of the former class of air craft He left this morning for Indianapolis, in company with Charles Morgan, E. H. Harris and Carl Bernhardt- - This afternoon, if the weather conditions are favorable, Mr. Leeds ' will go with George Bumbaugh, the aviator who operated the small . dirigible - here during' the fall festival, in the trial flight of the monster dirigible balloon, the largest in America, which Bumbaugh has just completed. If the balloon operates satisfactorily and Mr. Leeds discovers that he is as enthusiastic over aerial navigation as he imagines he is, it is probable that the big airship will be purchased by him or he will give Bumbaugh an order for a similar craft Is Monster Aircraft. The new Bumbaugh airship is about twice the size of the one recently seen in this city and much more powerful, being able to operate In quite a stiff breeze. It has accommodations for eight passengers. Before Bumbaugh left Richmond he and Mr. Leeds had a consultation and Bumbaugh informed Mr. Leeds that if be desired a dirigible he would bofld

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PASO, TEXAS one for him. Mr. Leeds told the Indianapolis aviator that when the dirigible he then had under the course of construction was completed and he was ready to make the trial flight, to wire him and he would go to Indianapolis and witness the ascension and would, possibly, be a passenger. Yesterday Mr. Leeds reeclved a telegram from Bumbaugh, stating that the trial flight of the big airship would probably be made this afternoon, providing the wind was favorable. "If you buy a Bumbaugh dirigible, what will you name it?" some one asked Mr. Leeds the other day. Til name it the Palladium,' he replied. Late this afternoon if you see some dark, peculiar object hovering over your head, get out your field glasses and take a look. It may be the Bumbaugh dirigible. U. S. IS REVENGED Clever American Woman Succeeds in Victimizing Paris Tradesmen. DONT LIKE BEING GOATS (American News Service) Paris, Oct . 29. Paris tradesmen have been -victimized to the extent of $80,000 by the Count De Gubatta, and the beautiful "Countess, an American woman, according to the statements of the police today. The couple, although they have been in Paris but a short time, quickly, made themselves known in the resorts of the wealthy Idlers, and they have spent a fortune. They were arrested , in their apartments, which they rented from Count Andrikorff, formerly Chamberlain to the Empress of Russia. The man declared that he is the son of the late Archduke Otto of Austria. He came here from New York, it Is said. The woman's right name is said to be Beck and she is a widow, according to the authorities, who assert that she is the niece of a New York millionaire. She married her companion in New York a few weeks ago, she says. THE WEATHER, INDIANA Fair tonight and Saturday; rising temperature.

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RICHMOND SPIRIT

OE CO-0PERAII0II IS GIVEII PRAISE Commercial Club Members En tertain the Members of Young Men's Business Club At a "Love Feast." ONLY NEED HARMONY FOR A GREATER CITY Many Interesting Addresses Were Delivered at Smoker Last Evening and Everybody Had Fine Time. Success marked the Informal recep tion and smoker given by the member of the Commercial club. In their rooms in the Masonic Temple, last evening. in appreciation of the enthusiasm, ac tivity and enterprise manifested by th Young Men's Business club in boosting the city of Richmond. There were about ISM persons present The rooms were attractively decorated. A long table was placed in the center of tin reception room, loaded down with fruits of various sorts and appropriate ly decorated with plants, flowers and pumpkins. Conspicuous on the eni of the table was a large barrel of cider. which proved to be the center of atI traction. President John F. McCarthy of the Commercial club, in calling the meet ing to order, declared that it was not necessary to state what the affair was for; that the expression on every one's face and the appearance of the table explained that more plainly than words. W. D. Foulke Speak. William Dudley Foulke, was then Introduced and spoke Interestingly on th subject of co-operation and the necessity of "pulling" In order to have a greater Richmond. He declared that there was no limit to the growth ot this city, if the spirit, as shown by the young men during the recent fall festival, was exhibited by everyone at all times. He illustrated how Gary, Ind.. had grown from 1J,hm to 1.H,nn) population simply through the determination of Its citizens to boost the town. The speaker stated that it was not so much the natural advantages of a tow like Gary that was responsible for Its rapid growth, as the spirit of the men who were back of the movement, and their untiring efforts to accomplish the desired end. In conclusion. Mr. Foulke stated that Richmond, while It did not have the natural advantages of Gary. It had the spirit of the citizens, and with that its success and rapid growth was assured. R. O. Leeds Speaks. Rudolph G. Leeds, president ot tha Young Men's Business club, was the next speaker called upon. He stated that he appreciated, very much, the things that had been said about the Young Men's Business club, and the fact that their efforts had been crowned with such success was due largely to the co-operation of the Commercial club. Mr. Leeds said that he thought the spirit of co-operation has been in the city all of the time, but never had been taken advantage of before. E. G. Hill was then called upon and gave a very Interesting talk. Interspersed with witty remarks and fanny stories. The speaker stated that he was very sorry that he had not been able to be present in the city during the fall festival. He told of his trip south and of the wide spread fame Richmond had achieved. He declared that the Commercial club gloried in the achievements of the Young Men's Business dub, and that It the former organization did not keep a vigilant watch. It would be blown full of hole) by the young men of the city, who were hustlers, and who were doing things with a determination that was) sure to win. A Festival Benefit. "The best thing about the fall festival," said Perry J. Freeman, the next speaker, "was the fact that It showed that everybody could pull together at least once a year." Mr. Freeman then stated that If this could be accomplished once a year. It could be done on every day during the year, and that he thought it would be hereafter. Mr. Freeman, after telling a few excellent stories In his own original way. concluded his remarks by expressing his appreciation of the feeling that existed between the Young Men's Business club and members of the Commercial dab. and the fact that no friction prevailed between the two organizations. Steven Kuth, who resides on the National road, near Westvllle, Ohio, talked at length on the fanner attitude towards the fall festival and the excellent opportunity it afforded them to exhibit their products. The speaking then closed with three rousing cheer for The Young Men's Business dab. followed by three hearty cheer for the Commercial dob. The guests were then given instruction to fall to" and get busy with the "eat.' Delightful refreshments were served and cigars were passed around. The remainder of the evening was spent In a social manner and an enjoyable tin was had by all present