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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 1905)
VOL.XLV. ISO. 13,797. PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1905. PRICE FIVE CENTS. OOCKSWIPEDQUT New Orleans Suffers ' Heavy Disaster. LOSS IN THE MILLIONS Wheat, Cotton and Sugar Go Up in Smoke. XJREAT ELEVATORS BURNED At Illinois Central Wharves Ships Move Just in Time, FIRE SPREADS VERY RAPIDLY Despite Modern Appliances and Ac tive Work of Firemen, Terminal Crew and Harbor Tugs the Flames Are Not Stayed. NEW ORLEANS.JLa., Feb. 26. Fire. SLa. Involving millions of dollars' loss in physical property, and that strikes a se rious temporary blow at the Immense ex port trade of New Orleans, swept the river front tonight and wiped out the. vast freight terminals of tho Illinois Central, known as the Stuyvesant docks. Nearly a dozen squares of modern wharves and freight sheds, two magnifi cent grain elevators, hundreds of loaded cars and vast quantities of freight, in cluding 20,000 bales of cotton, were de stroyed, together with a large number of small residences. The lire was still raging fiercely at mid night, at which time it had almost reached the upper end of the Illinois Central prop erty. It has not been determined whether there has been any Joss, of life. The ocean-going -shipping seems to have escaped serious damage. A. number of firemen and employes of the rocks were Injured. Actual estimates of the losses are Impossible to obtain tonight, though they may exceed $5,000,000. The Stuyvesant docks extend from Louisiana avenue, almost to Napoleon avenue, a distance of 12 squares. "The wharves between these two points were covered with miles of trackage, and a steel and iron shed ran the whole dis tance. Goods of All Descriptions. The grain elevators were of the most modern construction, the upper one hav Ing a capacity of 3,000.000 bushels. Thou sands of bales of cotton, several hundred thousand, packages of sugar, great quan tities of cotton-seed oil and oil cakes lumber and every conceivable variety of freight, filled the warehouses and sheds Practically all the export business han dled by the Illinois Central Railway was put aboard ships at these docks. Improvements have been under con structlon for ten years past, elaborate ex tensions and immense investments having been made for the constitutional conven tion of 1SSS made It possible for the road to invest permanently at this point. The fire was discovered soon after o'clock. It was said to have resulted from a journal which had not been suffi ciently oiled. The whole plant was equipped with gigantic water tanks and fire-extinguishing apparatus, but the Q blaze, small at the beginning, almost in stantaneously got beyond control, com municating through the conveyors to the lower elevator and some of the sheds. Fences Barred Path of Engines. The response of the fire department was prompt, but owing to the fact that the terminals were not readily accessible be cause of fences and tracks, the engines found difficulty in reaching the flames. In half an hour the fire covered' two equares, the lower elevator was prac tlcally consumed, and the fire was sweep ins: Irresistibly both, up and down the river. As soon as it became known that the xone of the fire was the Stuyvesant docks. harbor tugs hastened to the wharves and vessels that were moored there were pulled out into the river. At the same time switch engines were rushed to the wharves and diundreds of boxcars loaded with freight were drawn to points above the upper end of the terminals, before tho fire reached them. Hundreds more, however, were consumed The wind was blowing down the river as the blaze began, and tho fire spread with greater speed In that direction. By 9 o'clock the lower elevator and sheds and wharves from Amelia street to Lou isiana avenue, a distance of six squares. had fallen In. Fortunately, Louisiana ave nue Is a very broad thoroughfare, and the further spread of the fire beyond that point Into a residence section was checked. Between the points named, however., the flames swept to complete destruction many cottages of the poorer classes, the occupants in a great many Instances los ing all they possessed. River-Boats Pour Out Streams. The river-boats, theA employes of the road and the fire department concentrated all their energies in an effort to save the upper elevator, between Australltz and Constantinople streets, and to check the fire at that point. The fire, however. gradually worked past the point occupied by the elevator. Heroically the forces kept at work, but ultimately they were beaten and the big steel structure, cov ered with corrugated Iron, suddenly burst Into flames at 10:30, and In half an hour was a complete wreck. At midnight more than nine squares of the terminals had been completely de stroyed, and It seemed unlikely that the fire would be checked until it had reached Napoleon avenue, which also Is a.- very broad street. During the lire a heavy wind blew, and the blaze was of Inde scribable f ury, carrying brands to great distances, driving back the crowds of sightseers. Flying Pieces of Roofing. Immense- pieces of corrugated iron. torn from the roofs of the elevator, were carried through the air as if they were feathers and dropping in every direction. constantly endangered the lives of firc- jnen and spectators. . xne wcatner was bright and warm, and nearly 60,000 peo ple visited tho scene during the progress of the fire. Aside from the tremendous financial loss involved, the fire is a calamity to New Orleans in the temporary abatement of the Immense export business of the Illi nois Central Railroad, particularly in the matter of grain shipments. Three Unknown Men Burned. HOT SPRINGS, Ark., Feb. 26. Sun day has been a day of gloom In Hot Springs. The first estimates of the damage done by the great conflagration were not exaggerated. More than 40 blocks were destroyed. The most con servative estimate places the loss at $1,500,000. The three unknown bodies recovered are the only fatalities. All trains today brought in visitors to J view the remains. Mayor Beldlng or dered all saloons closed. The devastated district will be speed ily rebuilt. Property owners are al ready planning with architects, and in three Instances carpenters began work today on temporary structures. Business Block Destroyed. WHITMAN, MASS.. Feb. 26. Fire broke out at midnight at the Jenkins business block, a three-story brick structure, destroyed that building and threatened the entire business section. The loss at that hour was estimated at about $75,000. ICE IS MOVING IN THE PLATTE Four Spans of Burlington Railway Bridge at Schuyler Torn Out. LINCOLN. Neb., Feb. 26.-r-Ice began moving in the Platte River today, and with the water high the results, it is feared, will be serious. At Schuyler four spans of the Bur lington Railroad bridge were torn out. and the Burlington bridge at Columbia is In a shaky condition. High water and Ice gorges are caus ing trouble on other . neighboring streams. Sousa Writes to the Times. LONDON. Feb. 27. John P. Sousa writes to the Times a strong protest against the British government permit ting open piracy of his copyright com positions. He declares that music piracy does not exist in any other country where the international copyright law is enforced, and that National honor and pride might demand that Immediate steps be taken to fulfill Great Britain's treaty obligations. CONTENTS- OF TODAY'S PAPER The "Weather. TODAY'S Increasing cloudiness, probably fol lowed "by showers and cooler; winds be corn ing southerly. YESTERDAY'S Maximum. temperature, OS cleg.; minimum, 4b. Precipitation, none. The War in the Far East. Eualan withdraw in good order to well-rortl-fled pass. Pago 0. Captured big guns from Port Arthur are fired at the Russians. Page 0. Bombarding of the Ruaaiaiw position by the Japanese seems to Indicate a determined advance very soon. Page S. Russia, Alexander Stolypta, eminent Russian writer, gives view of political situation. Page &. Russian strikers are believed to be inspired try political agitators. Page IS. Peasants may be Involved In great outbreak in the Spring. Page 13. Ten Jews killed and CO wounded in anti- Semitic riot. Page J J. National. Sea-level canal on the Isthmus of Panama is recommended by tbe commission. Page 1. Ten or 12 years would, be required to complete, at less cost than first estimated. Page 3. Senate has five days In which to pasa seven large appropriation bills. Page 3. Impeachment of Judge Swayne believed to have been a mistake. Page 3. Domestic. Illinois Central freight terminals at New Orleans are destroyed by fire; loss will reach $5,000,000. Page 1. Twenty-three miners killed in explosion in Bluefield, AV. Va., coal mine. Page S. Bill to make "tipping" a misdemeanor passes the 5ew York Senate. Page 3. aiillionaire juan A. wood, lather of many children, marries a New York actress. Page 1. J.orthwNt i.oIitIcal Governor Mead will veto the capital-removal MIL Page 4. Washington legislature employs no women clerks, with good economic results. Page 4 Dr. AVlthycombe, the only acknowledge candl date so far to succeed Governor Chamber lain. Page 4. Pacific Coast. Fire destroys a block at The Dalles, Or., with 530,000 loss. Page 10. Schooner Onward wrecked while attempting to sail into Coqullle Bay. Page 7. Portland and Vicinity. Matthews confirms his retirement as political leader, and. gossip is busy with possibilities and probabilities. Page 1. Site for High School Is theme of much talk. Page 9. Ir. Cressey declares that Osier is entirely -wrong, and cites achievements of old men. Page 0. "Woodmen pay loving tribute to the memory of their late head consul. Page 8. Chief of Police eays City Jail is strong enough to retain prisoners, and that escape of tour was due to laxity of Jailer. Page 14. City Council may act to abolish unsightly bill boards and cause rubbish to be removed. Page 13. Homer Davenport, tho cartoonist, will make exhibit of his pheasant farm at The Trail. Page 14. Board of Education has the power to enforce the merit system with respect to teachers now. Instead of waiting till September. Page 8. More than "000 persons visit the Fair grounds Sunday. Page- 8. Railway officials have high praise for Oregon. Pag 12, Pastors of Portland churche Jir interesting Krmony Pe 13 . i . AT LEVEL OF SEA Commission's Plans for Panama Canal. STEAM SHOVELS CUT FAST When Plant Is Perfected Cost Will Be Greatly Reduced, CHAGRES CAN BE CONTROLLED Enlargement of Waterway Across the Isthmus Can Then Be Made at Any Future Date Without Delay to Shipping. PROPOSED SEA-XEVEL CANAL. Width at bottom, feet 150 Minimum water depth, feet. 33 Cost fC30,000,000 Limit of construction, years ....12 Twin tidal locks Length, feet nooo "Width, feet 100 WASHINGTON. Feb. 26. The first def inite engineering plans for the construc tion of the Panama Canal .have just been laid before the Isthmian Canal Commis sion by the engineering committe of that body, consisting of Commissioners Burr, Parsons and Davis. The principal recom mendations are summed up in this reso lution: Resolved, That this committee approve and recommend for adoption by the commission a plan for a. sea-level canal, with a bottom width of ISO feet and a minimum depth of water of 33 feet, and with twin tidal locks at Mlrafiores, whose usable dimension? eh all bo 1000 feet long and 100 feet wide, at a total eetimated cost of 5i30.SOO.000. Such estimates Include an allowance fur ad ministration, engineering, sanitation and co tlngcnclcs, amounting to S3S.450.0G0, but with out allowance for interest during construction, expensp of zone government and collateral costs and water supply sewers or paving of Panama or Colon, which last Items are to be repaid by the inhabitants of those cities. The committee estimates that a sea-level canal .can Je . completed-.-wlUiln-IO-er- IS.' years irom tne present time. These recommendations are the conclu sion of a report to the committee pre pared In the Canal zone under date of February 14 last, and based on complete engineering reports on all of the prob lems involved. The committe decided that, under no circumstances, should the surface of the canal be more than 60 feet above the sea. and estimates that at this level the cost would be 5178.013,405. A 30-foot level Is estimated to cost $191,213,406. Control of the Chagres. It is recommended that the Chagres River be controlled by a dam at Gamboa. built to a crest height of 200 feet, and the waters of the lake thus created disposed of through tunnels. The work on the dam will require from 1 to 2V& years, and the committee reports It should begin at once. The dam at this place. It Is said. Involves no formidable obstacle, which is not the case at the Boplo location. Actual work with the new American steam shovels In the Culebra cut has dem onstrated that the entire excavation can be done at a cost of 50 cents a cubic yard. The former- Isthmian Commission estl mated this cost at SO cents. This reduc tlon amounts to a total of $15,000,000, and is given as a justification of the recom mendation of the sea-level canal. Immediate work is recommended at Co Ion In constructing a safe harbor. To this end an outer breakwater Is suggested. as well as the construction of an inner harbor at the entrance to the canal. It Is recommended that bids be Invited for this work. Three Small Dams Recommended. Other minor features of canal construe tion recommended include completing the Galuncillo diversion channel begun by the old canal company, to divert from the canal the waters of the Gatunclllo and Mindi Rivers and other smaller streams In connection with this, three email dams must be built two across the Chagres, near the Mlndia, and one across the Boca Mindi. All of this work Is Independent of the decision "as to the level for the canal. and Its immediate execution Is recom mended. Other subsidiary features depend on the level determined on. and are not dls cussed. The commltee makes this observ atlon in summing up: "The practicability of certainly and sat isfactorily controlling the floods of Chagres by so simple and economical i method as the Gamboa Lake and Its out flow of channels, and the reduced cost of excavation as actually demonstrated by the work of the Culebra cut makes tho work of the sea-level canal a reasonable cost far more available than has hereto fore appeared possible. These recent de velopments In the conditions attending the construction of the canal are so Im Dortant as to be almost controlling in character. Present Results Under Difficulties. "The remaining element is that of time required to make the great summit exca vation. It Is to be carefully observed that the results thus far obtained in the Culebra cut have been reached under dis advantageous conditions 6f both organ! zatlon of plant and force. The railroad tracks serving the excavators are yet fragmentary and tentatively placed to serve the purposes of investigation. 'In both respects the disposition of the plant is far more unfavorable, both to economy and celerity of operations, than J. will be the case vhen a. complete track system has been arranged and laid down to serve a largo number of steam shov els operated by an experienced force. In the face of these disadvantageous condi tions the cost of excavation has been re duced far lower than was anticipated, -and it has been demonstrated that each steam shovel may be counted on to yield an average record of at least 1000 cubic yards per working day. Best Results in Two Years. "The chief engineer estimates that with 100 steam shovels Installed, with a com plete system of tracks serving them a yearly record of 30,000,000 cubic yards of excavation may be reached without re quiring a' greater output per shovel, or greator speed in working, than has al ready boen attained. This rate of work ing probably could be reached within two years from the present time.- "With the rate of progress which now appears rcasonablo to anticipate, this committee believes that a sea-level canal. with a tidal lock 1000 feet long and 100 feet usable width, at Mirafiorcs, can be completed within ten to twelve years from this time, the bottom, width of the canal being 150 feet and the minimum depth of water 33 feet. "These considerations have Induced this committee to express to the commission its unanimous judgment that with, the contemplated system of working and with the rate of development which appears o be justified with the work now being performed -at Culebra, a sea-level canal, free from the restriction of locks, should bo adopted, This committee believes that such a canal with terminal harbors, can be constructed for a sum not exceeding $230,500,000. Advantages to Be Obtained. "The advantages of a sea-level canal across the Isthmus are most obvious. It would be a waterway with no restriction to navigation and which could easily be enlarged by widening or deepening at any time in tho future to accommodate an increased traffic without any inconven ience to the shipping using It. Whereas a lock canal Is In reality a permanent restriction to the volume of traffic and the shlps that use It. Although it Is pos sible to design and construct locks adapt ed to future transformation to a sea-level canal, that transformation cannot be made without serious Inconvenience to navigation and at a cost so great as to be excessive. "The additional cost of a sea-level canal over that of a canal with locks with a summit level of 60. feet above mean tide. Is $o2,452.000, or $79,742,000 more than the estimated cost of the lock canal with a summit level of S5 feet .above mean tide. proposed by the former Isthmian Canal Commission, after allowing $6,500,000 for the Colon breakwater and direct entrance not previously estimated. "This committee considers this addition al expenditure fully justified by the ad vantages secured." EMPLOYES WELL' CARED FOR General Davis Advvtes Families Be! Not Now Brofjght to Panama. WASHINGTON. Feb. 26.-Writlng on the general topic of wages and the dis content of employes on the Isthmus. Gen eral Davis. Governor of the Panama Canal Zone, has addressed a long com munication to the Panama Canal Com mission. His observations are confined to the employes of the Commission from the Isthmus who were hired in the United States. Discussing the yellow fever sit uation. General Davis says. "Of canal employes and their families coming here from the United States only four out of some 400 or 500 have been sick from yellow fever, and. of this number one terminated fatally." J Discussing the lack of accommodation, the Governor observes: "The number of employes who hnv ar rived on the Isthmus under appointments' maue. in me united States, who assert mat tney were told by members of the Commission, or by its employes In "Wash ington, that they all would have Quarters or residences, and excellent accommoda tions. Is so large and the assertions are so positive, that I cannot but believe there is some oasis for the statements made. and If any such assurances were given. It was a great mistake. I think. The nie- ture ought to have been painted worse than It Is. rather than otherwise, so that the men arriving here could not possibly una tne real condition to be worse than they expected to And it." He continues i ia.ua can De secured in the way provided by treaty and by statute, it will be taken, and there will be np delay In erecting the necessary houses for all the employes in the City of Panama. Until quarters are avuaoie." he says, "It Is not advisable for married men to take their families to Panama. Misery for all concerned has resulted in cases where tnis nas been done. Governor Davis says the wages paid to tne employes who come here from home, and to others -of the same class hired on the iBthmus, are in many cases 25 per cent nigner tnan tney were during the busiest period of the French canal work, and in no case are they less. No suggested remedy for the lack of amusement is made. The barroom and gambling hells are the principal attrac tions now, and in the City of Panama lottery tickets are everywhere offered for sale on the street corners. Because of the increased price of mer chandise of all kinds, the report says, the Canal Commission has just directed that the material and supplies department es tablish a commissary, where they will be kept for sale at cost price. Concluding. General Davis says: "Casting up the matter in all Its phases. I would say that, while this discontent exists, and certainly will exlt probably for a long time, with respeciH) some of the employes, yet the larger number are not unreasonable, and accept the situa tion: they know that the Government Is doing everything possible to make their lot pleasanter. and they are loyally work Ing and carrying out their contracts." NLEDRmGHATJS WELL NOT QUIT Democrats May Throw Their Votes to R. C. Kerens. JEFFERSON CITY. Mo.. Feb. 26. "With the return of Thomas K. Niedring haus, caucus nominee for United States Senator, who has beon absent for near ly a week, speculation over tho prob able breaking of the deadlock In the Legislature was general today. Mr. Niedrlnghaus denied that he expected to withdraw from the race. From Democratic sources it was learned that a Democratic caucus of members of the House Is planned for earlv this week to decide- whether or not to throw .sufficient. Democratic votes to Richard C Kerens to elect him over. NledrincjhauSrf LEADER HAS QUIT Announcement Made by Matthews Himself POLITICIANS ARE COY Few Anxious to Step Into His Shoes, , EFFECT ON CITY POLITICS What Prominent Partisans of Various Factions Have to ,Say of -the Effect of Action of Matthews. MATTHEWS REALLY QUITS. TV. F. Matthews retirement from tho political leadership of the Republican party,, as announced In The Oregonian yesterday morning', has been confirmed. Mr. Matthews himself makes a state ment which shows that he is out. -Much speculation hai resulted as to the effect of his retirement upon hla party In the coming; municipal campaign, and there is even more speculation as to his probable or possible successor. Republicans of all factions give their views upon this important bit of polit ical news. W. F. Matthews, who for the past 10 or 15 years has been a dominant factor In both city and state politics, has resigned his leadership. Jack Matthews has resigned. How the news through the city went flying! Pol iticians, when they read the announce ment In yesterday's Oregonian, drew forth their political lightning arresters, hoisted them aloft, fearful that the polit ical leadership lightning would strike them. A canvass of astute politicians was made, but not one of them would state that he was 'willing to step into Mr4 Matthews political shoes. They were shy, s'hy because they did not believe that Matthews was sincere, but he Is, and here is what he says about stepping down and out of the political game. Mr. Mat thews was seen yesterday afternoon In his office, and was asked: What Matthews Says. "Is Is true. Mr. Matthews, that you have retired from tho leadership of the regular Republican organization, as stated in The Sunday Oregonian that you will take no part in future politics, and that you have so advised your friends?" His reply was: "I am not the leader of the regular Re publican organization, and have not been since 1902, when I resigned the chairman ship of the State Central Committee to accept the office of. United States Mar shal, and 1 have not -been a leader (so called) or chairman of the State Central Committee or of a County Central Com mittee since that time; therefore I have no leadership at this time to resign. I do not consider it just to those now at the head of the regular Republican or ganization to attempt; to detract from them the power which belongs to the po sitions which they hold by attributing some of it to me, because it does not be long to me; moreover, I do not claim it "It is true that for some time past I have discussed politics with my personal political friends, and also with some who are not my friends, and it is also true that I have made suggestions and given advice as a private citizen when asked to do so, but in the future I do not in tend even doing this much, and have so advised my friends, and It may be to this that the story printed in The Sunday Ore gonian is due. "I am not so situated, and have not been since 1002 because of my position that I can devote any time to politics, and, as It is necessary that one's whole time should be given to politics in order to make much of a success at it, I am In no position to take- any part in such matters, even If so Inclined, but, as said before, I do not beslre to do so, and will not." Begin to Take Notice. In spite of the fact that AV. F. Mat thews has resigned the political leader ship of Portland and of Multnomah Coun ty, the Republican organization will not he' without a leader. Some of the wise acres smiled within themselves, for they looked upon the announcement as that much "political hot air." but when as sured that Mr. Matthews was sincere they began to take notice. The skeptics were many.but when they were informed that Mr. Matthews had submitted to an interview, stating posi tively that he would no longer dictate to the political organization, either as a friend or as a politician, they were con vinced that he was through with the po litical game. But when It came to nam Ing a successor to Matthews, or to telling what effect his resignation would have on the future political organization, they were as noncommittal as Wordsworth's little maiden. Many of the leaders were asked sior Interviews. Out of the entire Republican organization only two mn were named as successors to Matthews. They were C. H. Carey and Whitney L. Boise. Not one of those on the inside would stand for favoring either Carey or Boise. The latter bad a number of sup porters, but it was to Carey that most of the politicians leaned. L Both Mr. Carey and Mr. Boise were in tervlewed, and both .were positive in their' announcement that they wpuld not suc ceed Matthews. It was evident, however. that they both knew that there was such a thing as political lightning, but whether they arc equipped with lightning arresters Is another story. One thing which may account-for the antipathy toward the Re publican leadership is that the' Republi can organization has determined not to take any. active part in the approaching municipal campaign. Some of the heavy wheel horses say that there is nothing in the present municipal situation worth while, and for that reason the question of leadership, just at this time. Is not an Important factor. May Not Name Ticket. From leading politicIiK5; it was gathered that the regular Republican organization might not even place a ticket In the field this coming June. Some of them were of the opinion that if the- direct primary law. which is before the courts. was held not to apply to the municipal election, the Mitchell faction would take a hand in the campaign. There were oth ers, however, who held that, no matter which way the decision went, the organ ization would keep its hands off. - What the Simon cohorts will do in the June campaign can only be guessed at. One thing seems sure they are as un willing to mix in the municipal election as the regular Republican organization. Some of the sharpshooters, however, be lieve that the Simon faction will be active. but Its activity will be directed from the extreme rear. There Is a disposition on the part of both sidea to let the reform ers and the bolters fight It out, then. when they arc down for the count, to step in after the smoke of the battle Is cleared and take a firm hold of the situation. It is evident that there is no game worth the political hunting, so for that reason there will be no call for the heavy artil lery. Leaders of the various factions were slow to commit themselves on the re tirement of Mr. Matthews. Such men as A. K. Bcntly, AV. T. Muir, D. J. Malarkey and some others absolutely refused to be quoted. There were others, however, who talked, and what they had to say fol lows: Both Coyly Refuse. C. H. Carey was another that side stepped. He was willing to believe that Mr. Matthews wa3 sincere in his deter mination to retire, but he said: "I have been too busy to pay any attention to politics. I have been out of it for almost a year. I do not know what the organiza tion has done, or what It Is doing. I know that I will not succeed Mr. Matthews." AV. I Boise said: "All this talk, if there has been any. about my succeeding Mr. Matthews Is without foundation. Be fore the last campaign I served notice that I would resign from active politics. My resignation dates as far back as the November campaign." The telephone was the easy access to A. Li. Mills, Speaker of the last House He was asked what the retirement of W. F. Matthews- meant to the political or ganization, and he said: "I read the head lines in this morning's Oregonian. I am not prepared to talk politics. I rather think, however, that the world will go on just the same. The sun will come up to morrow morning, and it will go down at night. I've had all the polities' I want. and from now on I am going to attend to my business. There was continuous talk of a machine while the Legislature was In session at Salem. If there was a machine, I saw nothing of it. I cannot outline the future of the Republican or ganization, because I do not know what it will do." Many Diverse Views. John AV. Minto saw nothing to fear in the resignation of Mr. Matthews. He said: "We are all Republicans, and the organization will take care of Itself. Ther Republicans who have guided the affairs of the city and county are of the sturdy sort, and the resignation or the death of a leader will not affect the onward move ment of the organization. AVho will suc ceed Mr. Matthews? Well, that is hard to say. I could not for the life of me say at this time who it would be." Alexander Dernsteln suid: "If Mr. Matthews goes out, somebody else will take his place, and politics will go on just the same." Ex-United States Senator Simon simply remarked: "I have no desire to be quoted." W. D. Fenton said: "I have no knowl edge that Mr. Matthews is to retire Irom political management, and I doubt the authenticity of the report. In my Judg ment, the Republicans should come to gether and eliminate factional control, and urge upon the leaders of all factions an honest effort to unite In council and leadership. The retirement of tho gentle man mentioned, if he should do so, should not destroy or seriously Impair the exist ing organization, bet the occasion should give opportunity to wise leadership to' unite the party. Personally friendly to the leaders of the two old factions. speak without fear or favor of either when I advise: Let Republicans get to gether." Donald 'Mackay when questioned an swered: "I do not care to express an opinion, as I have not had time to study the matter. I have not talked to anyone lately about political matters." No Confidence in Retirement. W. S. Duniway says: "I do not be lieve Matthews has retired, or that he will retire, though he is probably at present suffering from chagrin over his machine's failures in the Legisla ture. He has proved his love of power, and It is not his nature to yield the reins. If he does nominally retire, he will undoubtedly keep In close touch with the organization his organization and direct It from cover as he has been doing. By the way, since Mat thews is now and for some years has been a Federal officeholder, his decla ration of retirement at this late day must be taken- as an admission of the fact that he has long been acting: in disregard of civil service laws. "In 1896 Oregon was the proudest Re publican state in the West; now she is In shame. I do not look for the state to recover her good name until she openly and decisively repudiates the machine that has brought us to dls grace. Just what the line-up will.be no one qan now say, and all forecasting- will be Idle until wc get a decision from the Circuit Judges in the case brought to determine whether -the dl- MAN'S FOLLY Millionaire Marries a New York Actress FATHER OF MANY CHILDREN He Sent Infatuated Son Abroad Four Years Ago, FALLS INTO A TRAP HIMSELF Time Hung Heavy in His New York Palace Until the Quondam Steel Magnate Met the Winsome Goldle Mohr. PITTSBURG, Pa., Feb. 26. (Special.) Retribution seems to have come over Alan A. AVood. of New York City, formerly of the Arm of AV. Dewees AVood. of McKees port, inventors of the famous planished sheet steel. There were three hrnthpr W. Dewees Wood, Alan W. AVood and Richard G. Wood, the latter now pf Phil adelphia, who is the promoter of a new company to make, planished sheets. Alan W. Wood Is the father of many children, having been married twice in Pittsburg, and quite recently in New York to Goldle Mohr, an actress. The date off the marriage has been kept a secret, but the. sons and daughters of Mr. Wood are panlcstricken, and want to break up the old man's infatuation for the showgirl. Four years ago Alan W. Wood learned that his -son, W. Dewees Wood, Jr., was Infatuated with an actress. He had planned to elope with her. Within a. few moments young Wood was called Into his father's office In McKeesport, given transportation to Europe, and had a, young McKeesport companion sent with him, to do the Old World as long as the boys wanted to remain. Spends Money and Forgets. The only request made of the young McKeesporter was that he should break young Wood from his infatuation for the actress, and under no circumstances to come home until the lovesick lad was thoroughly cured. The boys remained away two years and spent money in large wads. Who the actress w?s cannot be learned. W. Dewees Wood, Jr.. was thoroughly cured of his passion, and he settled down to work. When his parents moved from Pittsburg to New York, he went to Santa Barbara, Cal., where he is staying with his uncle. Alan W. AVood moved from Pittsburg to New York, the brothers having sold their plant to the American Sheet Steel Com pany for many millions of dollars. He built a large home on the Riverside drive, in which he lived until recently. Life in the metropolis threw the old man in the way of an actress, and he became in fatuated with her, as his son had dona three years before. Childrea Try to Wean Him. His children used every artifice to wean' Mr. Wood from his devotions to Miss Goldie Mohr. They failed, and It Is said that recently he made her his bride. Mr. Wood's first wife was Miss Nannie Knox, a sister of Senator P. C. Knox. They had one child. Mr. Wood then mar ried Miss Alber.ta Carrier, and the couple had six children. Mr. AVood is related to Thomas McKee. a brother of A. Hart McKee, another ot the Pittsburg millionaire set in New York. Thomas McKee married a sister of Mr. Wood, as also did Joseph R. Dltworth, a wealthy Pittsburger. The marriage of Mr. AVood with Goldie Mohr has been a aweet morsel for the gossips of Pittsburg. DE. HABPER EESTS EASILY Central Church Choir Sings for Him at Chicago Hospital. CHICAGO, Feb. 26. Dr. W. R. Har per, president of the University of Chi cago, rested comfortably today at tha hospital, and his attendants said to night that his condition was excellent. The choir of the Central Church sang for an hour this afternoon at the Pres byterian Hospital for the patient. After they had finished, Dr. Harper thanked each one for' the music. Governor Boutwell Is Very III. GROTON, Mass., Feb. 26. Ex-Governor George S. Boutwell, who is ill from pneumonia, passed a comfortable day, and at times showed some improvement. His 'condition, however, continues very grave. The venerable statesman real ized the gravity of his illness today and said to his daughter, Miss Georglana Boutwell: "I think my chances of recovery are pretty slim." At midnight his condition was un changed and he was resting quietly. THOUSANDS AEE CONVERTED Eighteen Evangelists at Work Great Kentucky Revival. in LOUISVILLE, Ky.. Feb. 26. Meetings in 24 churches, theaters and halls-today concluded the main effort of one of the most remarkable religious reviv als seen Jn America during- the past 50 years. During the two weeks Just closed 6500 persons confessed to Chris tianity. Enghteen visiting- evangelists took part in the work. Ice Floating in the Kaw. KANSAS CITY. Feb. 26. Floating ice in the Kaw River here has wrecked the pile bridges of the Kansas City Belt Line and the Rock Island Railroad. A .channel was made In the ice today by the use of dynamite. - It Is believed that little other damage will result.