m
VOL. XLV tO. 14,023.
PORTLAND, OREGON, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1905.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
OOELL DENIES
HUE'S CHARGES
Dramatic Scene at In
surance Inquiry.
FLUSHED FACE, CLENCHED FIST
Never Influenced Legislation
to Enforce Claim.
DEPEW ALSO TESTIFIES
Big Politicians and Financiers Tell
Siorlcs About One Another Like
Schoolgirls Hyde Turned
Down by Roosevelt.
NEW TORK. Nov. 10. Ex-Governor
Benamin B. Odell. Jr., and United
States Senator C. M. Depew, as wit
nesses before the Armstrong legisla
tive insurance investigating oommlt
tee, today denied parts of the testi
mony of James H. Hyde in which their
names were used. Mr. Odell in the
course of his testimony called Mr.
Hyde's statements "base calumny" and,
when he was askea whether he directly
or Indirectly had made the threats to
have the charter of the Mercantile
Trust Company revoked, his face
flushed, and, striking the arm of the
witness chair with his fist, he ex
claimed: "There is no truth In that statement,
so help me God."
Mr. OdGll was the flrst witness ot
the day. He said no political pressure
was brought to bear In the settlement
of hi? suit against the Mercantile Trust
Company and that It was settled the
same as suits brought by others. He
said he had been advised by counsel
that his claim was Just and that any
court would have awarded him more
tban he received In the settlement. He
koew of the Introduction of thP Am-
bier bill, which ho satH "inTgfit"have af
fected the Mercantile Trust Company's
charter, and, while he did not suggest
its Introduction, he saw no objection
to it.
Mr. Odell denied that he ever made
a statement to E. H. Harrlman or any
one else' that retaliatory measures
would be taken against the Mercantile
Trust Company. The witness said he
and Mr. Harrlman were personal
friends, but that they had no business
relations. He wrote a. letter on behalf
of Mr. Hyde's candidacy for the post
of Ambassador to France. This was at
the request of 'William H. Mclntyre,
one of the vice-presidents of the Equit
able Life.
Mr. Odell said he had never solicited
political contributions, but possibly
some moneys might have come to him
through the National committee or Sen
ator Thomas C Piatt, as the latter had
always gathered together the funds
In New York state except in the last
year.
Depew an Insurance Reformer.
Senator Depew was examined with
regard to his syndicate participation
and his duties as counsel to the Equit
able Society. Regarding the Ambassa
dorship to Paris, he said Mr. Hyde
came to him and solicited his influence
to secure the appointment. " He
brought the matter to the -attention of
the President, although ho told Mr.
Hyde that he was too young and the
President said It was utterly Impos
sible to make such an appointment
The Senator advocated. In the inter
ests of the public, the limiting of In
surance risks, and favored a public
audit of the accounts of companies at
stated periods by a chartered account
ant. This, he thought, would obviate i
j - - 11- r. . i . . ..... . . , Boomer. I
-.- - J - .... .- ...4
many suits that are now frequently
brought for an accounting on the part
of a policy-holder.
John Gilchrist, In charge of the se
curity department of the Equitable Life
Assurance Society, told of millions of
dollars lnIoans made at the end of
the year in the names of clerks of
Kuhn, Loeb & Co. to comply with the
law that the surplus should be in
vested or to keep down the cash bal
ances. No collateral was held by the
Equitable on these loans and the check
which was given for them was de
posited in the bank and a certificate of
deposit received. The check, however,
was never cleared and on the first of
the year would be taken out and the
certificate surrendered. These loans
were made at the Instance of T. D.
Jordan,' former controller of the. Equit
able. Odell Denies Hyde's Story.
Mr. Odell was the first witness.
Before his testimony was be
gun, Samuel Untermyer, counsel for
James H. Hyde, entered an objection pro
testing against the investigation of the
affairs of the United States Shipbuilding
Company by the committee.
Mr. Hughes, counsel to the committee,
began by asking Sir. Odell to tell the
facts pertaining to the Mercantile Trust
Company charter, and the witness said
he would prefer to tell of the whole trans
action leading up to the settlement, if
permitted. Mr. Untermyer protested thaf
If the committee permitted this, it would
take them far outside the legitimate line
of Inquiry. Senator Armstrong referred
the protest to Mr. Hughes, who said ho
would call to Mr. Od ell's attention "the
fact, that the matter which concerns the
committee is simply the question whether
there was any political influence xr pres
sure brought to bear upon the Mercantile
Trust Company, directly or Jndlrectly, to
Induce a settlement
"There was not," said Mr. Odell.
"Will you state. Governor." said Mr.
Hughes, 'whether you had any Informa
tion with regard to the Introduction of
a bill in the Senate for the purpose of
repealing the charter of the Mercantile
Trust Company?"
"I knew of It at the time, yes."
"Who advised you of It?"
"I knew of It before its Introduction."
"From whom did you get the Informa
tion?" "Oh, various people, as to the propriety
of the Introduction of such a measure.'
"Did you suggest Its Introduction?"
"No."
"Did you request Its Introduction?"
Reasons for Ambler's Bill.
"I saw no objection to it."
"Did you state that you saw no ob
jection to the-introductlon of the meaa
ure?'
"At the time It was Introduced I
did; yes."
"To whom?".
"Oh, to anyone who asked mo; I have
forgotten."
"What -was the 'ground for that action
or approval?"
"Simply because the scandal Incident
to th Shipbuilding Tru'at was uppermost
In the people's mind, and it was claimed
that the Mercantile Trust Company had
been behind lS or 16 corporations, every
one of which had "been insolvent, and it
was time, I thought, such matters In the
pmic ui ntn BUUU1U ue sioppcu.
"KJhile Mr. Odell was testifying. Sena
tor Depew entered the room. Continuing.
Mr. Odell said the bill was intended to
provide, for an investigation of the Mer
canine -trust company. He could not
recall that he had an interview with As
semblyman Fish with regard to the Intro
duction in the Assembly of a bill similar
to Senator Ambler's repeal bill. His only
Interview with Senator Ambler about the
bill "R-as after it had been introduced. At
that time he had no suit pending against
the Mercantile Trust Company.
Sold Out Stock Beforehand.
His suit was brought in Au
gust, 1904. "When the bill was
Introduced, in March, 1904, the
witness said, he still had every dollar's
worth of his shipbuilding holdings.
These holdings were sold at auction and
brought $43,687 against ;iG4,171 paid for
them. Since their sale, witness had had
no interest in the shipbuilding company.
The sale was made oecause he felt that
matters of legislation would come up af
fecting shipbuilding affairs, and ho felt
that the Governor should not be inter
ested, directly or Indirectly. In the bonds.
Ho contemplated bringing an action
against the Mercantile Trust Company
In August. 1904. He had no Interview with
J. P. Morgan regarding his shipbuilding
claim, but he did havo -with Charles M.
Schwab. His Interview with Mr. Schwab
was when the company was In the hands
of a receiver.
"Did you make any statement to any
body In the City of New Tork that re-
(Concluded on Page 7.)
HARRY MURPHY SKETCHES
EGISTER WEST
LOSES IIS SCULP
Summarily Removed From the
Lewiston Land Office
by President. . .
SPECULATED IN CLAIMS
Charges of Working Up Contests for
Profit Sustained by Ttvo Inves
tigators 3Iay Be Prose
cuted by Ruick.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington. Nov, 16.-John B. West. Register
of the Lewiston Land Office, Idaho, was
removed from office today by President
Roopevelt " for "speculating In relinquish
ments, undue political activity, etc." No
successor has yet been chosen.
Made Money on Contests.
Charges were preferred against West
some time ago, alleging that he was
making improper use of his office and
participating too freely in politics. , Nu
merous ouch charges were submitted, al
leging that West, aided by his brother,
had aided settler? in making filings on
land which had previously been entered
upon by other persons. They then per
suadedythe settlers to institute contests
before the Lewiston Land Office and Im
mediately entered Into negotiations with
the parties to the contest, inducing one
to make relinquishment in favor of the
other. Whenever they secured a relin
quishment, the West brothers collected
money from the successful contestant.
In brief. West was using his office as
Register to glva blm power to bring about
relinquishments in contests which he and
his brother had planned and making con
siderable money on the side" by this
practice.
XWhen the charges were sent him, he
made swet?lng denials, but two investi
gations were made by Special Agent
Goodwin, and Inspector O'Fallon, which
sustained the charges, and on their rec
ommendations, indorsed by Land Com
missioner Richards and Secretary Hitch
cock, West was summarily relieved..
Office Closed for Time.
Senator Heyburn will probably be re-nut-tlon
to. recommend ,a successor to
West. Meanwhile, until the vacancy is
filled, the Lewiston Land Office must
remain virtually" closed for receipt of
papers. '
Whether or not West will figure in the
greater land frauds in Northern Idaho
in connection with Kettenbach and others
is to be decided. The evidence against
hint was worked up while Special agents
were after land thieves, aud it is quite
possible. If his offense constitutes a vio-
latlon of the law. that he will be caught
In the tolls at the request of District
Attorney Ruick. He was appointed Reg
ister March 31, 1S9S, and reappointed Jan
uary 19, 1903. . . j
KEEP LID OX NATION'S CASH
Cannon Holds Out No Hope of Ap
propriations for Rivers.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington. Nov. 16. Representative Cush
man rode from Chicago to Washington
with Speaker Cannon and. while he .elic
ited no promises, ho became thoroughly
imbued with the Idea that he and every
other member of the House will haveto
fight hard for any appropriations pf a
local character this senon. Mr. Cannon
Impressed upon Mr. Cushman that alKun
necessary appropriations were to be cut
off and even those that wcrp necessary
would be held down to the minimum.
The Speaker would not discuss the
merits of any proposed appropriations.
but Mr. Cushman is jatlsfied from what
he learned that the Speaker Is going to
keep the lid down on the Treasury, as far
as It lies in his power, from which he In
fers that it will be extremely difficult to
get any appropriations for river and har
bor Improvement, save those, which were
authorized in the last river and harbor
bill. He expects lo see no omnibus pub
MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS MEN'S EXCURSION
lic building bill nor any legislation of
local Importance that requires appro
prlatlons.
Hitcltcock Hears From Mitchell.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington, Nov. 16. Much to his surprise.
Secretary Hitchcock today received a let
ter from Senator Mitchell, asking that a
certain land case pending before the de
partment be taken up out of order and
acted upon. As the case Is before the
Land Office, Mitchell's letter was referred
to Commissioner Richards without com
ment. Nothing is known about 'the mer
its of the case. It Involves a single entry
in Oregon.
Argument on Bcrison-Hydc Case.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington, Nov. 16. Notice was today given
District Attorney Heney that the .Su
preme Court of the District of Columbia
would tomorrow call up and set a time
for-argument on the demurrer In the case
of the Benson-Hyde land ring ot San
Francisco. Argument may be deferred
several days.
Votes Salary to King Charles.
CHRISTIAN IA. Nov. 16. The Norwe
gian Parliament today, by 10) to It votes,
appropriated 53)6,000 annually for the new
King's civil list. Premier Mlchelsen will
announce the election of Prince Charles
to King Oscar on Saturday.
CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER
The Wetker.
TESTERDATS Maximum temperature. 45
dec: minimum. 38. Precipitation, none.
TODAY'S Threatening with occasional rain.
Southerly, winds.
Czar Uiues manifesto granting land conces
sions to peasant. Page 1.
Strike general in three cities, but does not
affeot railroads. Page 1.
Pretender to Czardota leads peasant revolt.
Page 1.
Horrible massacre of Tatars by Armenians.
Page 1.
More than $300,000 raised for Jewish relief.
Page II.
lerelgH.
Curzon tells reasons for resigning as Viceroy
or jnaia. rage s.
French dockyard strike fails. Page 8.
NaUesal.
Moody denies beef trust's claim to immunity.
Page 14.
Quartermaster-General favors keeping Army
transports, rage -i.
Hitchcock denounces light sentence on Illegal
fences and Judge Munger replies. Pare 14
President removes Register West, of Lewis-
ton i ana ornce. rage 1.
TeUtlcs.
President Mellen declares for Roosevelt's
rate policy. Page 3.
Illegal voter in New Tork Jumps his ball
ana bondsmen will be prosecuted. Page 3.
Grots errors in count of New Tork vote.
Page 3.
Speaker Cannon declares against tariff re
vision. Page 3.
InsBraBcet Scandal-.
Odell denies Hyde's charges and tells bis
story of case. Page 1.
McCurdy voluntarily reduces his salary.
Page 4.
Mutual Utt commiiea Inaugurate radlcsJ
reforms. Pag 4.
Bryderi confers with Roosevelt.- Fa re -4.
.IM&sUc. . .
Socialists propose radical measures at
Labor Federation convention. Page 5.
Citizens Industrial Association proposes
prosecution of labor trusts. Page 5.
Interchurch Conference asked to denounce
massacre of Jews. Page S.
Sport.
Pacific Coast scores: Portland 5. San Fran
cisco 3; Tacoma C. Oakland 2. Page 7.
PacMc .Coast.
Portland business men visit valley towns
from Roseburg to Albany. Page 1.
Testimony is all In In the trial of Frank
Rels for murder at The Dalles. Page 6.
O. R. & N. makes coal-rate reduction In
Eastern Washington. Page 6.
Superintendent of General Electric Com
pany's station at Oregon City burned br
short circuit. Page G.
Pert Angeles & Olympla Railway Company
is incorporated. Page C.
CoBinwrcIal a ad Mariae.
Statistical position of Oregon hop market.
Page 13.
Drouth causes alarm In California trading
circles. Pago 13.
Chicago wheat market develops strength.
Page 13."
Normal conditions resumed In "Wall street.
Page 15.
Steamer Senator arrives 54 hours late.
Page 14.
- Pertload a-ad YlcIRy.
George E. Pluxnmer, of San Francisco, here
to engage three sailing ships to carry
0,000.000 feet of lumber around the Horn
to New Tork. Page 10.
Charles Petraln refuses to defend roan In
Municipal Court, saying. "Give the case to
some of the favorites of Bill Ladd's po
lice force." Page 10.
Father and mn victims of Oregon "Water
Power & Railway Company's employes.
Pare 11.
Relief fund for persecuted Jews Increased
by a thousand dollars. Page 11.
State sura to get Its percentage of profits
from the tolls at the Oregon City locks.
Pag 3.
Councilman hopes to make railway pay the
city for ure of Fourth street. Page JO.
Mayor thinks municipality should assist
financially, the East Side fills. Page 9. I
HIS BIG DOMAIN
GIVEN PEWS
Czar Remits Millions Due oil
Landjand Makes Pur
chase Easy.
STRIKE GROWS IN CAPITAL
Intellectuals Join Under Protest, but
Railroads Are Still Running.
Pretender leads Peasant
.Revolt Workmen Out.
LONDON', Nov. 17; (6 A. M.) A dis
patch from St. Petersburg: to Reuter's
Telegram Company says that an Impe
rial manifesto granting land conces
sions to the peasants was Issued this
morning-. By its terms the land re
demtplon tax payments from January
14, 1905. -will be reduced by one-half,
and from January H, 1907, the pay
ments -will be totally abolished.
At the same time the capital of the
Peasant Bank Is increased and the bank
Is granted additional loan privileges
with the object of facilitating to the
utmost the purchase of lands by peas
ants. It Is estimated that the amount of
taxation thus lifted from the peasants
by the manifesto will aggregate J43,
000.000, while the extension of the field
of operations of the Peasants' Bank
will enable vast tracts of crown and
private lands gradually tov become the
property of the peasants.
STRIKE NOT YET GENERAL
Leaders Tic Up Capitals, but Not
Main Railroads.
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 17. (2:33 A.
M.) Though the Industrial tieup In
St. Petersburg yesterday was even
more complete than It was We'dnesday
and though no break has 'been mani
fested in the ranks of the workmen
and strikes have broken out at Mos
cow and Reval, the most Important
feature of yesterday's developments
was the failure ot the walkout to
spread generally outside the capital.
The movement apparently lacks the
spontaneity and fOQjtaglousjiess' of tho
last great strike, whlcn'broko outfit
Moscow and spread to the Industrial
centcrsof Russia.
Tho faeiorv strlk at Sfiwpnw. nL-hlnh,
probably -45.000 men being out. has no
direct connection with, the Stj Peters
burg walkout, and dispatches fromjthe
olfi capital say that the railroad' hien
received the Tequest of the St. Peters
burg strike committee coldly.' The
whole great network of railroads cen
tering at Moscow, except the Sf. Pe
tersburg line. Is still In operation. At
Reval the employes of the railroad
shops struck, but the reason, for the, I
oirjKe is not statea. i
In St. Petersburg yesterday passed
with complete order. Patrols were vis
ible in all the industrial quarters and
Cossacks were trotting" tip and down
the Nevsky Prospect among the swiftly
dashing carriages and sleighs, but the
workmen. In obedience to the order of
the strike committee. keptgencrally in
doors and did not attempt demonstra
tions, so there was no occasion for a
resort to force to avert trouble.
Strikers Force Suspension.
The strikers forced the closing of the
Moscow railway station early yesterday,
stopping outgoing traffic for Moscow, and
at 10 o'clock last night they finally suc
ceeded In closing the electric stations and
In cutting off light- from the city. .Com
mittees were sent to all the theaters and
succeeded In stopping the performances In
several of them, and In the outlying dis
tricts they went from drugstore to drug
store, ordering the pharmacists to close.
and threatening them with the destruction
of their stocks it they refused. Other
stores were not interfered with. -
The action of the strikers with regard
AND SOME OF THOSE
to the druggists Is in . striking contrast
with the course pursued In Finland where,
when everj other business participated In
the general strike, the druggists were
directed to remain open in order that the
sick might not suffer. The course is con
demned by a large part of the population.
May End Strike Saturday.
At a meeting of the strike committee
last rght, the question of the termination
of the strike was noC brought up. but the
Associated Press noticed an expectation
on the part of the many delegates that
the strike would end Saturday night. The
principal question under discussion at the
meeting was the formation of a strike
treasury by gathering funds to be used in
future walkouts, and after long consid
eration It was decided to ask Sic work
men to contribute 1 per cent of their
wages for this purpose, the fund to be
at the disposal of the committee.
A proposition to call out the cabdrlvers
was also discussed, but although several
delegates asserted that the drivers were
ready to strike at a nod from the com
mittee, there was general doubt as to
whether such a strike could be effected.
Peasants Still Riotous.
There is a betterment of the agrarian
conditions. Dispatches from Kusk. Pol
tava. RIazan. Samara and other prov
inces continue to report the spread of dis
orders, which In Poltava are taking an
anti-Jewish turn. However, the Imperial
manifesto regarding the distribution of the
crown domains, which by strenuous work
was finished last night, will be Issued
early this morning and, the Emperor and
Count Witte expect, will help to pacify
the peasants and have a tactical effect on
the coming struggle with the Socialists
and other anti-government forces in the
elections for the Douma.
FOLLOW LEADERS LIKE SHEEP
Intellectuals Join Strike Which They
Condemn Black Gangs Feared.
ST. PETERSBURG. Nov. 17. (Special.)
Premier Wltte's telegram to the strik
ers. Imploring them to resume work.
has had a contrary effect to that ex
pected, as- the worklngmen now- declare
that the strike must go on, lest It be
supposed that they are influenced by
the Premier. Although the Intellectuals,
as individuals, are almost unanimous In
condemning the strike as needlessly blunt
ing valuable Instruments of reform, the
sheep Instinct to blindly follow the lead
of others prevails among their associa
tions, and last night many ot these or
ganizations resolved to Join the strikers
today. The recruits include the engtn
eers, the chemists and their assistants,
professors and teachers, counting-room
clerks and S00 government clerks.
The general strike Is entering Its ser
ious phase, as It Is feared that the
commercial houses, particularly the petty
dealers, will become so enraged at their
continued losses that hundreds of "black
gangs" will spring up and prove to be
beyond the -restraining capacity of the
government.
One thousand Cossacks have beenjlraft-
ed to reinforce the regular police of
It the city.
King Edward of Great Britain has for
warded here 2000 pounds to be devoted
to the fund for the relief of the unem
ployed. )
VICEROY FREES PRISONERS.
Tries Pacific Methods While Arme-
nlans Massacre Tatars.
TIFLIS, Nov. 16. The Viceroy has
ordered the liberation of all persons
arrested for offenses against the ad
ministration. He has asked the people
to co-operate with the authorities In
restoring tranquility.
Two Tatar villages were stormed by
Armenians a few days ago. Many-of
the Tatars were killed and their bodies
were horribly mutilated, the arms, ears
and noses being cut offv The Armen
ians burned 255 houses and drove off
all the livestock belonging to the Ta
tars. AUSTRLV CAN'T KEEP ALOOF
Her Poles Would Demand Freedom
Given Russian Poles.
VIENNA. Nov. 16. The report that
Austria has promised to support Rus
sia against X'ic movement for Polish
autonomy Is officially denied. It is
conceivable, however, that, should the
movement In Russian Poland become
serious. Austria might be compelled to
act, a tho success of the Russian Poles
assuredly would be followed by simi
lar demands on the part of the Austrian
Poles, Just as the grant, of suffrage In
Russia has been followed by an 1m-
(Concluded on Page 4.)
WHO ENTERTAINED
FOR GOOD QFTHE
STSTE OF OREGON
Valley and City Will
Strive Together.
I PORTLAND WANTS DEEP RIVER
Willamette Asks Removal o
Embargo at Locks.
UNION SENTIMENT STRONG
Business Men's Excursion Has a Day
-"of Delightful Experiences in
Meeting Friendly People
at Number of Cities.
VISIT TO CALIFO KM A.
EUGENE". Or.. Nov. 10. (Special.)
At the rooms of the Eugene Commer
cial Club. Manager Tom Richardson,
of the Portland Commercial Club,
made the announcement that a spe
cial excursion will be run from Port
land to California. The start will be
made on January 13. and six days
will be consumed In going as far as
Los Angeles. The purpose of the ex
cursion Is to make manifest person
ally to the people of California the
satisfaction all Oregon feela over the
magnificent manner In which all Cali
fornia contributed to the succoss of
the Lewis and Clark Exposition.
BT EDGAR B. PIPEH.
ALBANY. Or., Nov. 16. (Staff Corre
spondence.) Oregon will be united It
the experiences of today count for any
thing. The business men have heard
everywhere that the towns and all
communities of the Willamette Valley
have an earnest desire to work with
Portland for the upbuilding of a
greater state. Ay speakers at all
places have said that there are no
differences between the state and Port
land no grievances, no wounds to heal.
The Valley wants the Columbia
River deepened and in return it asks
that the embargo on commerce at the
Oregon City locks be removed, cither
by the" state 'or by the Nation. Here
Is a basis for a mutual agreement that
It has been easy to establish.
The Valley will help Portland; Port
land will help the Valley; both will
help the state at large.
The end of the third day found tle
Portland business men at Albany.
There Is a new Albany. Albany has a
Commercial Club that has united its
business people in a common desire
and purpose to work for the benefit ot
the town and the large agricultural
district of which It Is the center. The
club has a beautiful home, and the
spirit which Inspires the efforts of all
Its members Is fine.
Clubmen Meet at Depot.
The club came out to the station to
night over 100 strong to receive their
visitors They made It at once obvious
that tKey Intended to extend no per
functory greeting, but the glad hand
was offered in earnest. The name of
the organization, by the way, is the
A?co Club. The name was found by
the Ingenious process of taking tho
first four letters In the four words, Al
bany, Linn County. Oregon.
Headed by President E. D. Cuslck
and Mayor "W. H- Davis. th club mem
bers paired off with their guests, and
marched to the clubhouse. Here a few
minutes were spent in the pleasant
task of getting acquainted, and then
County Judge C. H. Stewart Intro
duced Jlayor W. H. Davis, who for
mally extended the hospitality of the
city. He was followed by Judge H. H.
(Concluded on Page 5.)
THEM