Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 35, Number 79, 26 January 1910 — Page 1

RICHMOND PAIXAJMUM

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4lNIj 3UN-TTCLEGRAM. RICHMOND, IXD., WEDNESDAY EVEXIXG. JANUARY 26, 1910. SINGLE COPT, 2 CENTS. VOL. XXXV. NO. VX

NEW YORK MARKET WAS OEAO TODAY; BOYCOTT A CAUSE Prices Dropped From One to Two Cents on All Cuts and the Wholesalers Caught Loaded to the Guards.

PRICES ARE TO DROP TO A VERY LOW MARK District Attorney at Pittsburg Has Inauaurated a Grand Jury Probe of the Present Sky High Rates. (American News Service) New York, Jan. 20. Themeat market is dead, and the agitation against high prices did It, declared the wholesale meat dealers today. Prices dropped a cent or two on all cuts. The wholesalers are heavily stocked and supplies are pouring in. The dealers predict that meats will bo the cheapest in many years by the end of the current week. There are now animal carcasses in cold storage equal to two whole animals for each person in the United States, according to private statistics. PROMOTER OF BOYCOTT. Cleveland, Jan. 26. Fred W. Sebelin, Originator of the boycott on meat, suggested today to Mayor Baehr that Senator Burton be asked to start a move ment to put an export duty on meats. Livestock prices are ten cents lower on the hundred pounds here today. Retail prices are unchanged. ; GRAND JURY PROBE. i Pittsburg, Jan. 2a The district attorney of Allegheny county has inaugurated a grand jury probe of the present high prices and is contemplating the calling of a conference of district attorneys of twenty-five Western Pennsylvania counties to make a simultaneous investigation into the "various food trusts by this method, which is received with favor and probably will be immediately acted upon, food products could be traced from the producer . to the consumer, and Bhow what happens in the way of price inflations as it passes through the various hands. An exchange of evidence between the different prosecutors is also one of IHTEREST IS TAKEN In the Educational Conventions to Be Held at Indianapolis. BUPT. MOTT WILL ATTEND Much interest is being. taken in the convention of Indiana teachers assotion to be held in Indianapolis in March, and in the convention of the national education association, department of superintendents, which is held at the Claypool hotel, Indianapolis, March i, 2, 3, and 4. Superintendent T. A. Mott will attend the superin tendents' department meeting, and it Is probable that County Superinten dent C. W. Jordan will also be pres ent. The program for both conventions ere the best procurable. Speakers of national reputation will address the respective associations. Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, the new superintendent of instruction at Chicago, will be one of the speakers at the superintendents' meetings. Others to address this meet ing include Senator Albert J. Beveridge State Superintendent of Instruction of Louisiana, T. IL Harris and several others. PEARY IN CHICAGO (American News Service) Chicago, Jan. 26. Commander Robert E. Peary today is the guest of the Geographic society of Chicago. The liscoverer of the north pole arrived in the afternoon and went to the Univer sity club. From four to five o'clock he will be the guest of President and Mrs Harry Pratt Judson of the University of Chicago, at a reception at their resi dence. At a dinner to be given in the ev eninr? by the Geographic society at the I.asaile Hotel. Commander Peary and Prof. T. C. Chamberlain of the Uni versity of Chicago will receive the Helen Culver gold medal for special researches in geography and geology. VISITING THE SCHOOLS. Mrs. Bernhardt, librarian of Morris-eon-Reeves library is visiting the schools of Wayne township.

PROVES A WISE ACT

Increased Preparatory Qualification of Teachers a Success Here. A NUMBER OF APPLICANTS Although it was feared the result of the recent action of the legislature, increasing the preparatory qualilications of applicants for teachers' licenses would lessen the number of applicants in this county, the exact reverse is true. In examinations held last year there were the usual large number of applicants and it is expected there will be a number to take the examination next Saturday at the office of County Superintendent C. W. Jordan, which is the first examination for the present year. The reason for applicants not losing interest because of increased qualifications was due to the fact that the law raised the wages of pedagogues, who received appointment after successfully passing the examination. A LIVELY MIXtiP Representative Bennett of New York Hops on Macon Of Arkansas. SOUTHERNER RESENTS IT AND SAYS ONE OR THE OTHER IS EITHER A "SAINT OR LIAR" AND THAT BENNETT IS NOT THE FORMER. Washington, Jan. 26. Declaring that James A. Patten, secretary of the immigration restriction league, had told a "wicked, cruel, deliberate and mal icious lie" when he gave Representative Macon of Arkansas the information upon which the latter based his speech Monday, Representative Bennet of New York made a vigorous de fense of the much maligned immigration commission in the house yesterday. "The statements of the gentleman from Arkansas require an instant full and complete retraction," shouted Mr. Bennet, after he had explained in detail the work of the commission, its trip abroad in 1907, which Mr. Macon had termed a "junket," and the results it had accomplished. Mr. Macon met Mr. Bennet's demands with sharp replies. "I am not going to accept what the gentleman from New York has said to this bouse as gospel," exclaimed Mr. Macon. "It is a question of veracity and one of the gentlemen has as much credence on the part of this house as the other until one or the other shows himself a liar and the other shows himself to be a saint; and the gentleman from New York is not a saint" Macon Admits Patten Told Him. Mr. Macon admitted that Mr. Patten was his informant, following a statement by Mr. Bennet that he believed he believed he had given the information to the member from Arkansas. Mr. Macon explained that Mr. Patten was a son-in-law of a deceased member of the commission and was In a position to know. "I am not here to take back any part of my statement that the trip abroad was a junket as I understand a junket," exclaimed Mr. Macon. Thus the incident was closed without Mr. Macon having receded from his position, but not until after Mr. Mann of Illinois had refused to consent to Mr. Macon's request for permission to revise his remarks in the record. Mr. Macon explained that he merely wished to correct the "bad English," but Mr. Mann retorted that it was unnecessary to obtain consent for that, and that both parties to the controversy would have to go on record for what they had said. Mr. Bennet made a general denial of the charges voiced by Mr. Macon during his absence, Monday, and asserted that the member from Arkansas had made them without taking the trouble to ascertain if they were true. Commissioners Spent Own Money. He said the commissioners had spent only $13,000 of the people's money on their trip of investigation abroad, but had gone down into their own pockets for more than that amount rather than charge their expense accounts with all that they had spent. During the four months the commission was in Europe, he said, he had little time to devote to sight seeing. "I went through Rome without see ing St. Peter's or the Appian Way," he declared, and added that he had made but two flying trips to Paris, and in each instance had left by the next train. Mr. Bennet said the immigration commission had accomplished much good since it was created, having broken up the white slave traffic, taken steps to exclude alien criminals, and greatly improved steerage conditions on immigrant ships. He insisted that the commission did not deserve the abuse which had been heaped upon it

CO GRE

SSMEN

MOORE IS AGAIti SEIIT TO PRISON FOR VIOLATIONS

Former Dublin Man Criticised Californian Prison Officials And He Is Returned to San Quentin. A SECOND PETITION FOR RELEASE FILED Friends of Unfortunate Man Say Alleged Parole Violation Was Charge Trumped Up by His Enemies. Because it is alleged, J. Wess Moore, formerly of Dublin, but now of California, delivered speeches criticising the prison authorities of that state, he has been placed in prison again at San Quentin, California. Mr. Moore was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder several years ago and after serving a few years in the California institution was released on parole, owing to the gigantic petition signed by California citizens as well as a number of his Wayne county friends. He Started Missions. Immediately on his release, he went on a tour over California, organizing missions for the benefit of .released prisoners. One was established at San Quentin and preparations for the organization of others had been started. According to advices received by his Wayne county friends the people of California were much interested in his work. It seems that in his lecture tours in California he referred to the prison authorities in a spirit which did not reflect credit on them, according to one account. According to the other story the prison authorities charged Moore with stealing money, which was a violation of his parole, so he was sent back to prison. Wayne county residents who are interested in his case, charge that his return to prison is due to resentment on the part of the prison authorities. The exact date of his arrest for violation of his parole and return to prison is not known but it was early this month. Many Are Incensed. The California people seem to have become much incensed at the action of prison officials and have started another petition to secure his release. About 6,000 persons have signed it, but upon its presentation a few days ago, it was p'aced on file and did not have the desired effect. However, those interested in Mr. Moore's welfare believe that ultimtaely he will be released. Upon laving this county and locating in California, Mr. Moore took up a mining claim. His claim was jumped and expostulations with the claim jumpers and attempts to settle the difficulty resulted in nothing. He went to the courts and received an unfavorable decision. He again opened negotiations with the claim jumpers and in a dispute arising between the two parties, Moore killed his opponent, he says in self defense. It seems that the California jury which tried the case did not accept his plea, and sentenced him to prison for life. DIED BELOW GROUND (American News Service) Chicago, Jan. 26. Peter Conroy, 35 years old, and James Walsh, were asphyxiated by sewer gas today at the bottom of a caisson 100 feet below the ground of No. 90 Washington street, where the foundations for a new building are being laid. George Yore and P. O'Brien, firemen, who at the risk of almost certain death descended in a bucket to bring up the bodies, were overcome by the poisonous fumes, but revived later. KELLY WILL ATTEND President R. L. Kelly of Earlham college will' attend the meeting of the college presidents of Indiana at Indianapolis, February 16, which has been called by state superintendent of instruction. Robert J. Aley. The presidents have been called together to discuss several important features of the educational system of the state. IS SENT TO William Jones, the Cincinnati barber, who was arrested at Liberty, Ind., on complaint of Hamilton, Ohio, authorities for horse stealing, was sentenced to the Ohio penitentiary for six years. He plead guilty to the charge. Booze was credited for bis downfall. . ,

PRISON

2 TRAMPS WORK

ft NEW CON GAME Get Collection of Postage Stamps From Women To Send One Letter. TEARFUL STORY WAS TOLD ONE MAN ACTED AS DEAF JYIUTE, THE OTHER SAID HIS FRIEND WANTED STAMP TO SEND LETTER TO HIS MOTHER. Original to say the least, was the stunt successfully perpetrated by Frank Hart and Harry Stewart, before they were eventually arrested in the east end by Patrolman Vogelsong yesterday afternoon. Their game consisted of going from house to house and putting up a story that would bring tears to the eyes of an Egyptian mummy. Hart enacted the role of the deaf and dumb brother whose mother was serioufly ill, Stewart ex plained and "would the lady be kind ! enough to give him a postage stamp I to mail a letter to her before she died." j This humble request invariably touch- j ed the heart of every housewife whom ' they visited and soon their collection J of staim s began to assume large pro- j portions. j But the police got next to their little game and nipped it in the bud. The j couple were nabbed just as they were in the act of turning the stamps into currency and were taken to headquarters. In the city court this morning Mayor Zimmerman fined both men $5 and costs for vagrancy and they went to jail. Hart formerly resided in Richmond, but in recent years has been rambling around the country dodging work. He bears a bad reputation, it is said. FIREMEN DESIRE INCREASE OF $5.00 PER MOTH Petition Will, It Is Stated, Be Drawn Up by the Property Guardians and Presented to the Board. WANT SAME SALARIES PAID THE POLICEMEN At the Present Time the Fire men Receive $5 Less Per Month Than the Patrolmen Think It Unfair. Contending that they should receive just as much money as the police, a petition will be presented to the board of works within the next few days, it is said, by the firemen, requesting an increase of $5 a month in salary. There is a general feeling of discon tent among the members of the local fire department, who claim that they are being too poorly paid for their services. They allege that despite the fact they work 24 hours in each day whereas the police have a 12 hours service, the firemen's wages are $5 less on the month than that of the 'coppers." The salary of the firemen at present is ?65 a month, while the patrolmen receive $70. Three years ago when the firemen received but $60 a month, au agitation began in the form of a petition to the board, for an increase of $10 a month. Compromise Was Made. The matter at that time was the occasion of considerable wrangling, but finally a compromise was agreed upon whereby a $5 increase was granted. It is said the firemen are now in the same state of mind that they were three years ago, and that the same feeling of discontent which threatened the harmony of the department at that time is prevalent now. One fireman stated this morning, in speaking of the matter, that it was doubtful if there was a city in the United States of the fa me size as Richmond, where an equal degree of efficiency was maintained, paying as poor salaries as here. It is said that if the board of works refuses to act on the petition which w ill be presented soon, the matter will very probably be carried to council, as the firemen believe the claim a just one. Another matter which the firemen do not think exactly fair is the fact that the captain of each hose house receives more pay than the ordinary flreman, although he assumes all the responsibility. There is absolutely no inducement to be captain, it is said, under the present conditions, except the honor occasioned by such a title. THE WEATHER. INDIANA Partly cloudy and showers tonight; Thursday fair and colder.

GEO. WILSON AND

RUFUS NEWMAN III UNIQUE POSIT Former Is Oldest Fireman in Country and the Latter Holds the American Record for Long Service. BOTH FIRE FIGHTERS HAVE GREAT RECORDS Until Recently Newman Had Never Been on the Sick List There Is a Sentiment to Pension Them. Richmond probably bears the unique distinction of having the oldest active fireman in respect to age, and the two oldest active firemen in point of service in the entire United States. The first honor is accorded to George Wilson, the venerable driver at the No. 2 hose house, and he is likewise an aspirant with Rufus Newman, also of No. 2 house, both having been actively engaged in the service for 36 and 37 years, respectively. No one seems to know just exactly how old Mr. Wilson is. He gives his age on his application blank as 70 years, but it is the opinion of all of the firemen that he is at least five years older. If there are any older firemen anywhere In the United States still actively engaged in the service, they are still to be heard from, according to a statement made this morning by several of the local "fire laddies." In the large majority of cities the firemen are placed on a pension list when they have attained the advanced age of 70 or 75 years, and it Is for this reason that Mr. Wilson is believed to hold the record, which is a most unusual one. Always On the Job. During all the long time that he lias been a fireman, Mr. Wilson has responded to practically every alarm of fire. Until within the past few Weeks he had never been off duty on account of illness, a circumstance which is perhaps without parallel any where in the country. Mr. Wilson is j now experiencing his second attack of the grippe and is forced to abandon bis post for a few days. Several accidents in his long career while fighting the flames have resulted in his confinement at different intervals. He has broken his leg twice within the last few years and his many narrow and hair breadth escapes from death while battling with the fire demon are recounted by him with intense and thrilling interest. With the agility of a man twenty years his junior, Mr. Wilson climbs nimbly to the drivers seat on the big hose wagon at the first clang of the fire gong and handles his horses with a rare skill and judgment, marvelous j for a man of his years. The veteran driver is regarded as one of the most fearless men in the department. Before becoming a fireman Mr. Wilson drove a ferry boat on the old canal between Cambridge City and Cincinnati. He has never been pierced by Cupid's darts, being a confirmed batchelor. During his present sickness he is making his home with Nimrod Johnson in West Richmond. As to Rufus Newman. In re&pect to number of years in the service, however, Rufus Newman has Mr. Wilson's record beaten by one year, having been a member of the local department for 37 years. Mr. Newman, who is 67 years of age, is also a man of courage and high efficiency. It is said that be probably holds the individual record in regard lo long service. Richmond should indeed be proud of these grand old men and it has been suggested by someone that a pension be provided for them both. THEY WANT LIGHTS Patrons of a Model School Desire to Have Building Wired. A FUND HAS BEEN RAISED Patrons of Wayne township school No. 9, at a meeting last evening ap pointed a committee, including John St. John. Alonzo Girton and Fred H. Lemon to investigate the possibility of wiring the school house for electricity. The patrons want the building wired in order that the play rooms in the basement of the building may be lighted and that the building may be used as a place for public meetings whenever the patrons so desire- The funds to carry out the plans for wiring the building were secured at a supper recently given in the building. The school building is a new one and probably the most up to date district school in the county. It has been used as a model for the construction of new district schools, not only in this coun

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ty, but throughout the state..

JORDAN

A In Charge of State Committee to Prepare the Final "Exam" Questions. THE WORK WILL BE DIVIDED The personnel of the committee to have charge of the preparation of final examination questions, to be given this spring to the pupils of the public schools of the state was announced today. C. W. Jordan, county superintendent of Wayne county, is chairman and the other committeemen include. Prof. Hale Brandt. Ripley county; Prof. Edgar Mendeuhall. Decatur county; Prof. Alonzo Brumfiel. Grant county, and Prof. Claude Trusler of Fayette county. The various committeemen will be assigned different subjects on which to prepare the questions in order that the work may be facilitated. Superintendent Jordan will prepare the exam ination questions in the English studies. E0R0PEAI1 COAST SWEPT BY STORM And on the Continent Great Damages Have Been Done by Floods. FRANCE STILL SUFFERS LOSS OF LIFE IN DENMARK IS VERY HEAVY AND PORTUGUESE, SPANISH AND ENGLISH COAST IS WRECK STREWN. (American News Service) Paris, Jan. 26. At noon today the Seine, still rising, was forty feet above the low water mark. The highest point in a century has been reached Thirty thousand persons are homeless in Paris. Two thousand persons ma rooned in their homes were rescued today by boats. The city is cut off from the world by rail and telephone and few telegraph wires are working; these may go at any time. DOTTED WITH WRECKS. Lisbon. Jan. 2i. The Portuguese and Spanish coasts are dotted with wrecks, and fresh reKrts of the havoc wrought by the great storm come in hourly. Floods in the interior have done much damage. The Spanish trans-A'lantic liner Guipuzcoa is wrecked off Billioa. Six persons were drowned when she went ashore, and the remainder were marooned upon the vessel. Aid was rushed to her today. Wrecks have occurred off Santander, Ferrel and Corunna, Spain. LOSS OF LIFE HEAVY. Copenhagen, Jan. 26. Many villages are isolated and great damage has been done by floods throughout Denmark. Shipping has suffered severely from the great storm; the loss of life Is reported heavy. ENGLAND IS HARD HIT. Londan. Jan. 26. Details of the damage caused by the terrific storm which for two days has swept the British channel and the west coast of Europe began arriving today. Many boats have been lost and the deathlist will be heavy. The French liner Annam. overdue for San Sebastian, is reported wreck ed on the Spanish coast, and a dozen fishing boats have been lost in the Bay of Biscay. At Dunkirk a threemaster was driven ashore and at other points on the British coast lie other wrecks. Efforts to re-establish the FranceEngland mail and passenger service early today failed. The harbors are crowded with vessels that have been forced to put in for refuge. At Sheerness several small warships had to take shelter. The storm today showed signs of abatement. A BRILLIANT COMET (American NewT Service) Victoria. B. C. Jan. C A special from Hazelton on Upper Skeena river says: A comet of great magnitude and bril liance has been visible since the even ing of December 14 from Dawson to Af he raft at all points along the Yukon telegraph, line of the Dominion gov ernment. It was especially bright at 5:30 this evening, directly after sunset and is about 3t degrees south of west and near the horizon. Its nucleus has the appearance of a large star and the tail is wide and reaches two thirds of the distance from zenith to horizon, having a decided curve. Its nucleus disappeared below the horizon at 7:43 but the tail was plainly visible for two hours afterwards. It Is, of course taken for the Halley comet.

CHAIRMAN

ASKS FOR LEASE TO BALK ALLEGED COAL LAUDS GRAB

John E. Ballainc Would Pay Royalty to the United States Government on all Alaskan Coal Mined. WEALTHY LAND OWNER . HITS POWERFUL LOBBY And Says It Is Backing a Bill Which Would Dispose of the Coal Deposits at Rate of $10 Per Acre. Washington. D. C. Jan. 2(5. Declar ing on tbe eve of the opening of the Hallinger inquiry that a gigantic conspiracy exists to hand the Alaska coal lands over to a forclgu syndicate, John E. Ballaine. of Seattle, said to be the largest land owner in the northern territory, created a big sensation belor the senate committee on territories yesterday. He said that a former United States senator is beading the Washington lobby as representative of Canadian capitalists. The charges came in the shape of a prooition read by Senator Beveridge. chairman of the committee. In which Mr. Ballaine offered to take over the coal lands on a royalty basis which would at once net the government a revenue of $2,000,000 a year. Rival Plana Clash. This proposal contemplates a radical departure from past practices in the government's disposal of the Alaska coal lands, and it comes avowedly to do battle with another proposition, embodied in a bill which has been preiared, but not yet introduced designed to permit the sale or lease of such lands at a rate of $10 per acre. It is said that the general features of the plan have the approval of officials . high In the administration and of Influential members of both houses of congress, including some of the prominent insurgent republican and Dele gate Wickersham of Alaska. Mr. Ballaine in his letter to Senator Iteveridge offers to enter Into a bond of $1,000,000 with the government for the performance of his part of the agreement which he proposes, and he makes the charge that "other Interests' have now at work In Washington a lobby, "headed by a former United States senator," In support of tbe bill referred to above, under whose provisions, he declares, the government would extend an unconditional guarantee to a railroad or railroads which these interests purpose to build in Alaska, and would virtually donate to them at $10 per acre one or more tracts of 5.000 acres each to be selected by them. Sees $50,000,000 Revenue. Mr. Ballaine states in his proposal that veins averaging a total thickness of twenty feet would eventually yield, according to standard measurements. a total in excess of 100.000.000 tons from the 5,000 acres he seeks. In the Matanuska district, making a royalty of $50,000,000 for this comparatively small area. lie asks the government to provide as a condition on its part that no othc r coal land in Alaska shall be leased on payment of a less royalty. He also proposes that at least halt of the government's supply of coal shall be obtained from this company or from a naval coaling reserve which the government may establish and itself operate in the Matanuska district, shipping the product to Seward, at rates to le fixed by the Interstate commerce commission, over a railroad the plans for the construction of which lie outlined. Says Americans Are Robbed. This railroad approximately 1,000 miles in all. is proposed to run from the Pacific coast at Seward. So much as may be needed for the payment of the royalty on the 5.000 acres, the Ballaine proposal stipulates, is to constitute a fund for the guarantee of the payment of the Interest on the bonds of tbe railroad company. Mr. Ballaine alleges that the Canadian Interests which owned a majority of a partially completed railroad from Seward, recently put it through a foreclosure reorganization on a plan that wiped out all American investments in the road, while protecting all Canadian investments in IL He further charges that tbe lobby which he describes as asking for an outright guarantee of interest on bonds and the donation of 5.000 acres of coal land as a virtual gift. Is working in the interest of these Canadians, but in conjunction with a group of American capitalists who are. he declares, attempting by the same bill to get control of the KataUa coal in another part of Alaska. HAVE LARGE CLASS Arrangements have been completed for the initi talon of a clan of IS lata Hokendauqua lodge of Haymakers, No. 100, Tuesday evening, February 15. A banquet will be served follow, leg the lodge session.