VOL. XIVT.-XO. 14,129.
PORTLAND, OREGON, AVEDXESDAY, MARCH: 21, 1906.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
DEFENSE MADE
BY GAS COMPANY
Its Employes Go on the
Witness-Stand.
TESTIFY FOR THE CORPORATION
Declare That Complaints Are
Ill-Founded.
TELL OF METHODS USED
Contradict Assertions of Consumers
in Many Instances by Saying
That Their Use or Gas lias
Increased Materially.
GAS COMPANY'S DKIENSE.
The Gns Company presented its
fide or the case at the investigation
yesterday.
Earl Cleland (Gas Company em
ploye) testified as to the nature of
complaints made before the commit
tee and entered Into explanation of
how tliee complaints originated.
Kx-Clty Engineer Chase said that
during his administration. Mx yearn
prior to 11)02, lie had no trouble with
the Gas Company in its Uhage of the
streets.
Charles S. Bell (Gas Company em
ploye) stated that tho company was
never derelict Jn dealing with- com
plaints of leaks or other defects.
E. M. Jackson (cu)iler of Gas Com
pany) testified on question of nlot
meters, stating that they were not
desirable for the company. The
crose-examlnation of Mr. Jackf-on by
tho committee brought out several
important points leading to the con
trary. I M. Scott (additional wHi)se for
the public) read a comparative state
ment showing cost of gas in various
cities of tho United States.
Councilman Ilushtlght in examining
a witnosH volunteered .twonereonal
experiences wherein the Gas Com
pany employes were guilty of negli
gent service In detecting leaks in
fixtures installed by the company.
E. S. Dowllng (Gas Company in
spector) ftated that he inspects all
houses whero gas pipes are put In
and that the company docs not toler
ate careless methods.
The Portland Gas Company took up
its defense yesterday afternoon before
the City Council's committee on in
vestigation. The corporation mot the
manifold charges brought against it
by the public Vith the attitude that the
public had been mistaken. The defense,
ko far as developed yesterday, consists
T a campaign of explanation and refu
tation. Employes of the Portland Gas Com
pany were placed on the witness stand
to reveal by dint of technical verbiage
tne cause and sophistry of each and
every complaint; to point out the mis
apprehension under which the public
at large lias been laboring. There was
an explanation of some sort or other
for every complaint ever made verbally
or In written form before the Council
committee.
Important Points Brought Out.
beveral of the witnesses put on by
the corporation were assailed by rigid
cross-examination on the part of mem
nets of the Council committee with
tne result that some important points
in the evidence against tho corpora
tion were brought out. The cross-examination
of Cashier Jackson on tho
subject of slot meters served to
strengthen tho charge that there was
jo logical reason for the excessive
narge of $1.50 per 990 cubic feet for
this kind of service.
During yesterday's proceedings the
corporation's representatives dealt only
with the charges against its service
and methods of serving the public The
iuestions of watered stock or inaldc
dealings were not brought up at all.
Messrs. "Wood and Teal represented tho
gas company, as at previous sessions,
and Mr. McGinn looked after tho pub
lic's Interest. Those of the committee
present were: Masters, Menefee, Rush
light, Kellahcr and Bennett.
Gives Important Testimony.
One additional witness, L. M. Scott,
of Tho Oregonlan staff, was Introduced
by Mr. McGinn. Mr. Scott read and sub
mitted to the scommittee an important
statoment of the price and nature of
the gas furnished In various impor
tant cities of tho United States. Ho
also furnished the committee with two
books by eminent gas authorities snow
ing tHe methods pursued by gas com
panies In defrauding the public.
Tho testimony Introduced by F. A.
Jackson, cashier of the gas. company,
was In many respects the most Import
ant part of the session. His cross-examination
on tho subject of slot meters
brought out that tenants of rooming
houses and places where slot meters are
used pay Ji.50 for the same gas and same
service that tho landlady or proprietor
gets for $1.15 through & common or head
meter. Mr. Jackson's defense of the
meters consisted In a statement that
they were expensive, troublesome and al
together undesirable being used by an
"Irresponsible class of consumers."
Mr. Jackson was the last witness to be
called to the stand In behalf of the gas
company, la reply to questions asked by
Mr, Teai he said these slot meters are
supplied to undesirable and Irrcsponslbla
consumers from whom the company
must have a doposlt of some security. It
is the policy of all gas companies to
charge more for this sen-Ice. he said,
for the reason of tills undesirable ele
ment which consumes U. Beside. It
costs more for meters, reading of meters
and making collections. "Witness declared
the company would very much prefer to
install the, ordinary meter. Concerning
the results of guarantees for payment
witness said beer checks, pieces of Iron
and washers were frequently put Into the
?lots Instead of coins, thus causing a
loss to the gas company.
Itcaso.n for Higher Bills.
"State whether you have any difficulty
with people who guarantee bills. asked
Mr. Teal.
"Often the landlady or proprietor of
lodging-houses in which those meters
are used arc out and no end of trouble
is therefore, encountered in making col
lections. That's one reasoit why we set
the rate higher."
'About these head meters: where there
are several slot meters In a building.'
said Mr. Rushlight, "the bead metor, as
1 understand it. registers all gas that en
ters that particular building."
"That Is right," was the reply.
"What Is your object 1m having the
head meter where there are dopHrtmonts
or suites of rooms witk s4l meters in
them.
"You know, Mr. RushllgJ.
"1 know, but then the committee would
like to know as well." whs the response.
Iteason for Head Meters.
"Excuse me." apologized tho witness.
"The gas that goes through the pipe for
lighting or that may go through that
way does not go through these prepaid
meters, and that Is the reason we have
these head meters to check up whatever
is not shown on the prepay meters. Those
are used ordinarily for cooking. In light
housekeeping, in buildings that are espe
cially piped for this purpose."
"Isn't it a fact," added Mr. Rushlight,
"that you have head meters in some
lodging-houses In the city that register
all of the gas that goes into that par
ticular place for the use of the landlady
and for all of the gas that passes through
the slot meters?"
"We always require a head meter be
cause if we did not parties could use
the gas from any other point and thus
avoid paying for it."
Bender Bill on Head Meter.
"Then wiiat do you do when yen don't
get sufficient money out of the slot
meters to meet the amount of gas thai
passes through the head meter?
"Render a bill on the head meter."
"Then Is It not a fact." aia Mr. Rush
light, "that the landlady of the house Is
responsible for the gas consumed in that
house even if you have slot meters? If
you don't get funds enough out of the slot
meters to meet tho amount of gas that
has been consumed, then you go back on
tlie head merer and .hold Jf. landlady
responsible for the total amount of gas
that you haven't been paid for?"
"We have that arrangement with some,
deducting merely what we got out of the
supplemental meters, and the balance be
longs to the head meter. All that Is paid
for at the lower rate."
Would Like to Do So.
"Then it looks to me as If the landlady
was responsible for the gas coming
through the head meter, and that the
tenants could just as well have tho ordi
nary meter installed, and thus got the ad
vantage of tho lower rate," continued Mr.
Rushlight.
"We have emergency men at the office
for that purpose, and would liko very
much to do that, and have done with
j?lot meters." replied Mr. Jackson.
"When you go to a rooming-house to
rob the slot meters, does tho landlady
go along?" asked Mr. Rushlight.
"1 don't understand that word 'rob.' "
was the response.
"What he means. I suppose, is collect
ing the money out of the meter," sug
gested Mr. Teal.
"We are certainly always willing that
she shall go," was the reply. "Wo never
go around to collect unless tho proprietor
Is In to go along, if desired," said tho
witness.
"Of course, this is not official," said
Mr. Rushlight, "but I've heard it said
that when it was positively known there
wore no slugs in meter, gas company
employes would find them anyhow.
"Oh. there's always a question of hon-
Concludd on Page 10.)
! WOMAN ACCUSES .1. I MORGAN I
OF ROBBING HER OF VAST I
ESTATE,
Mrs. E, B. Williams.
Mrs. E. B. "Williams, who makes the
charge that J. P. Morgan robbed her
of a vast estate, wan arrested last
-week as she was about to enter the
New Tork offices of J. P. Morgan &
Co, She declares that she Intrusted
the estate to Mr. Morgan's care, that
he paid her largo sums of mosey for
Ave years and then Anally entered Into
a conspiracy to have her declared In
sane. She was taken before a Police
Magistrate and went to Bellevue to be
examined .as Jx her sanity.
t
WEAVER REGAINS
STOLEN STREETS
Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Gives Up Midnight
Franchise.
COMPETITION OPEN AT LAST
AVidcner-KIkins Syndicate Surren
ders for Nothing What Cost It
$1,500,000 Wabash Will
Gain Entrance to City.
PHir.ADEI.PHIA. March 20. (Spe
cial.) Political reform in Philadelphia
achieved Its most notable single vic
tory today. The famous midnight
traction franchise steal of Uai vir
tually was undone. The Philadelphia
Rapid Trnnm Company, the backbone
of the Widener-Elklns traction clique,
whose interests extend to many states,
agreed to disgorge the stolen fran
chises and to pay the city $400,000.
Competition, which the traction mo
nopoly never would permit, is almost
assured, and incidentally the Wabash
Railroad probably will gain Its Jong
sought entrance Into Philadelphia.
Moreover, the city will regain fran
chises worth millions of dollars.
All this was accomplished by Mayor
Weaver, who saw u, chance to club the
Rapid Transit Companja. and used It.
All that Is necessary to bind the bar
gain is ratification by the City Coun
cils and by the traction stockholders,
which, it is expected, will meet with
no opposition In cither quarter.
Whence Opportunity Cnine.
The Mayor's opening lay In the fact
that the traction company, which Is
constructing a subway under Market
slrwet through the heart of the city,
has not pushed Its work rapidly
enough to complete It within the time
limit, which expires June 1, and was
compelled to ask the city for a three
year extension. A conference with
tho traction, officials was arranged for
today, and then It was that the trol
ley men came to terms and pledged
themselves to return the stolen fran
chises, nullifying the biggest steal of
the. old. Quay-DarhamJunda
plra to.
Notorious Midnight Steal.
The midnight steal In 1301 was the
result of the attempt of the late "Al"
Johnson, brother of Mayor Tom John
son, of Cleveland, to obtain a franchlso
here.- He surveyed the street, mapped
out the lines and by using virtually
all of the unoccupied streets suitable
for car lines, worked a comprehensive
system of subways .and surface roads.
Ho applied for "his franchise, but tho
Republican machine refused to listen to
him. instead, a number of politicians
formed a paper corporation. They went
to Harrlsburg, the legislature railroaded
through tho corporate grants, and Gov
ernor Stone signed the bill In tho dead of
night, after the midnight session of the
Legislature. The City Councils hero woro
then called Into extra session, and grant
ed franchises covering every unoccupied
street In tho city absolutely free.
Wnnamakcr's Offer Scorned.
Ex-Postmaster-General John Wana
maker led a sensational fight against tho
steal, and mada a formal offer to Mayor
Ashbrldge of $2,500,000, t6 be paid Into tho
city treasury If tho franchises should bo
given to him Instead of tho Mack-Fber-derer
politicians asking for them. The
Mayor flung the offer to tho ground and
signed the ordinances In spite of a storm
of public protest.
The politicians holding the franchises
at once began to bargain with the Wldo-ener-Elklns
interests, owning tho "Union
Traction Company, and -finally sold their
casllj' acquired new franchises to the
Widcnor-Elklns people for 51.5TO.000. prac
tically all of It clear profit upon a polit
ical hold-up.
Gives Back What Cost $1,500,000.
The Union Traction Company merged
itself Into the new company, and after
long delay set out to build the Market
street elevated and subway system upon
one of the grants. None of the other
grants ever was utilized, and. In order to
hold the Market-street franchise, the
company hj now been forced to relin
quish over half of the franchises It was
forced Into buying.
HULL- WILL SUE HIS TRADUCER
Dobson'8 Charges of Corruption
Will 3Ican Slander Trial.
DES MOINES, March 20. Congress
man J. T. Hull today gave notice that
ho would sue his bpponcnt, George L.
Dobson. , for exemplary damage for
slander becaupe of statements made by
tho latter in his opening speech in his
campaign to defeat Hull for the Re
publican nomination for Congress In
this district.
Tho speech was delivered last night
and was sensational in its accusations.
Dobson declared Hull had used his of
fice for pesfonal enrichment; that no
was In league with Rockefeller and
Wall-street Interests, and that ho liad
corruptly used money to secure his re
nomination two years ago. Dobson was
formely Secretary of State.
DISGORGING GRAFT MONEY
Cincinnati County Treasurers Repay
Gratuities to Country.
CINCINNATI. March 20. Following
the declaration of Tilden R. French
that he would pay to the county the
amount it is estimated he received as
"gratultly" from the banks during his"
terms as County Treasurer, if tho
courts decided that he was not entitled
ed to County Prosecutor Rollison a
ctuvelr frw tic nnn rr tha r-i,,-
duced from the bank books indicate a
larger amount, ne promised to pay the
remainder.
Ex-County Treasurers Rudolph K.
Hinnlck and John M, Gibson have also
agreed to pay to the county their
"gratuity."
Late tonight George B. Cox. the ex
Republican leader of this city, was
srubpenaed to appear before the grand
jury here tomorrow.
Xo Furlough to Bun Campaign.
AVASHINGTON. March 20. Secretary
Taft, acting under instructions from the
President, recently wrote to General Mc
Mahon, of the Soldiers' Home Board, that
It was not considered to be compatible
with public interests for George W. Steel,
governor of the home in Indiana, to have
a furlough while he made a campaign for
Congress. Mr. Steel formerly was a mem
ber of the House and was defeated by
Frederick Landis. Mr. Landis Is a candi
date for re-election and Mr. Steel hi seek
ing his old 'position. Complaint has been
made that Steel is using his position to
aid him, and that his Influence over 2000
Inmates of the home will be to the disad
vantage of Landis.
Bcsult of Milwaukee Primaries.
MILWAUKEE, Wis., March 20. At
2:30 o'clock this morning Mayor Rose
claims he has been nominated on the
Domocratlc city ticket by a plurality
of j50 or 00 votes over George Bruce.
S. Decker is nominated for Mayor on
the Republican ticket over W. J. Fi
brantz. and William Arnold will lead
tho Social Democratic ticket without
opposition!!. The election will be held
April 3.
Two-Cent Fare Bill Killed.
DES MOINES. Ia.. March 20. The
House committee on railroads and com
merce today voted to kill the Sankcy
2-ccnt railroad fare bill. Prominent men
were before the committee to protest
against the measure.
AN EXCEPTIONAL SENTENCE
United States Forest Inspector Is
sued Fraudulent Vouchers.
LOS ANGELES. March 2o! Edward B.
Thomas, an ox-United States Forest In
spector, was today convicted on tho
charge of having Issued fraudulent vouch
ers and sentenced to three years In tho
KnItcntlary and to pay fines aggregating
STOCK). He was found guilty on 10 counts.
The amount of Thomas' alleged fraudu
lent vouchers was less than 520).
ROSS GETS MONEY'S WORTH
Accused of Heating Large Building
AVilli Stolen Gas.
MILWAUKEE. March 20. Charles
Ross, a retired hardware dealer, was ar
rested today, charged with stealing $28,000
worth of gas In tho past seven years by
tapping the Milwaukee Gas Light Com
pany's mains. Ross owns a large apart-
88&&Sp&&gBPJ """""nE
CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.
TERTERDAVS Maximum temperature. 62
deg.; minimum. 40. Precipitation. 0.03 of
an inch.
TODAY'S Light rain. Southeasterly winds,
foreign.
Compromise at Morocco conferenee prom
ised today. Pace A.
Sevastopol sailors mutiny and burn city ia
revenge for execution of Schmidt, Pace 2.
Sarlncr robbers take immense sum from
bank at Moscow. Page 2.
Thousands killed and whol towns de
stroyed by Formosa earthquake. Face -I.
National.
House starts policy of penurious economy.
Pace 11.
Senate refuses money to fortify Philippines
and passes pension bill. Pace 11.
Contet on statehood, bill in Homo today.
Page -4.
Wallace advocates sea-level canal. Pace S.
Moody answers packers plea for immunity.
Page 1.
History of trouble with Moros and denial
that women were killed In close flghUng.
Pace 1L
Storera removal gives Joy to Americans la
Vienna. Page 3.
Politics.
Mayor Weaver compels Philadelphia trac
tion lines to surrender mldnicht fran
chise. Page I.
Cincinnati grafters return gratuities given
by basks. Page L
Concressmaa Hull threatens slander suit
acalnst Dobson. Page 1.
Domestic.
Standard OH man avoids testifying by say
ing he is sick. Page -4.
Jerome rays giving Insurance money to
campaign committees Is not larceny.
Page 3.
St. Paul road lets contracts for rails and
ties and asks Congress for bridce rlghtk.
Page 3.
John D. Rockefeller worrying himself crazy
over dauchters delusion, brother's 111
nc and Standard Oil inquiries. Fag 1.
Several fatal shipwrecks on Atlantic Coast.
Page 2.
Nineteen lives lost In storm on Gulf. Face 1.
Ncco mob clamors for revenge on Chatta
nooga lynchers. Page 4.
Sport.
Wright beaten In billiard match and gels
fourth place. Fage
raclfic Coast.
Fist fight of Commandant Quintan and
Cadet McCully at Oregon Agricultural
College causes wlthdraway of Army offi
cer. Page -i.
Moyer. Fettlbone and Haywood will be con
fined In separate prisons. Fage 4.
Supreme Court decisions at Salem. Fage B.
Canadian Commission blames the Topeka
and the captain of the Valencia. Pace C
M. E. Power. Portland hackdriver, shoots
wife and himself at Los Angeles. Page 4.
Commercial aad Maria e.
Hopgrowers petition railroads for reduction
In rate to East. Face 15.
"Wheat loses half-cent at Chicago. Fage IS.
Boston wool market strengthened, by Lon
don advance. Page 15.
Recovery in stock market. Face 15.
Enormous receipts of eges at San Francisco.
Page 15.
San Francisco liner Columbia and steam
schooner Despatch collide at mouth of
. the Willamette. Page 14.
Water-front thief, ransacks cabin oa steam
er Sutherland. Page 14.
Pertiasd aad Vicinity.
All objections to the building of a brides
across the Willamette by the Hill roads
seem to have been swept away and agree,
ment U expected today. Fa g 11.
Fight for Democratic nomination between
Malley aad Word grows keener. Page 18,
Day in the Municipal Court. Page 11.
Scotty says reasoa St. Clair accuses him is
because the man is drunk. Page 1C
Musa accused of murder of Julias Kuha, by
former friend. Page 10L
United Railways ' begins work on Forest
Grove llae Page 14.
Gas Company presents its side of the case
at the inquiry. Fage 1.
Pretending to saEfer with toothache, burglar
gains admittance to drugstore and shoots
Dr. J. J. Fisher while trying to rob alas.
Page 19.
MOODY SCORNB
PLEA OF PACKERS
Claim of Immunity Would- Let
Any Lawbreaker
Escape.
BOON TO LAWLESS TRUSTS
Attorney - General Picture Them
Going to Washington to Confess
Their Crimes and Escape
Punishment.
CHICAGO, March 20.-Attorney-General
Moody spoke nearly all day In the hearing
of the Immunity pleas advanced by the
packers, concluding his argument just in
time to allow him to take a train for
Washington. He declared that the picas
of the packers were not well founded and
that they could not be ntltled to im
munity, because they had given their evi
dencc of their own free will and bad not
been placed on oath, nor subjected to
compulsion of any kind. He at times
grew very sarcastic In his references to
the Statements of the attorneys for the
defendants, who had claimed that their
clients could not be punished because they
had voluntarily given evidence to Com
missioner Garfield.
Late in the afternoon Mr. Moodv re
ferred to the letter written by President
Roosevelt to the Attorney-General, which
was placed In the record of the case by
the attorneys for the packers. He said:
Puckers Attack President.
"It has been said here that the Presi
dent wrote a letter referring to this mat
ter. I am the last man In the world to
say that these gentlemen should not give
their best to their clients, but. If they
felt t thtfr duty to place that letter in
evidence, when It touches upon another
subject, against the man In the White
House who Is unable to come here to pro
tect himself, if they felt It their duty to
make their attack upon him. I have little
more to say."
"In Justice to us." said John S. Miller.
"I would like the Attorney-General to ex
plain how, since the letter was made a
public document by him. It could be an
attack upon tho President."
"I will allow my statement to stand un
qualified." retorted the Attorney-General.
Mr. Moody then declared that It was
only those who had committed acts with
out the law. and who feared the law, who
sought to bo protected by it.
"Does the learned Attorney-General for
get that Mr. Garfield told theso defend
ants that he was here to Investigate a vio
lation of the Injunction Issued against
them, restraining them from acting In
violation of the law against restraint of
trade?" asked Mr. Hynes.
Own Fnnlt if Crime Is Shown.
"I do not forget." replied the Attorney-
General. "I do not care. It goes to show
that these men were warned that crimi
nal action might be taken. If they did
then seek tho protection of the law, hav
ing been warned, tho fault Is their own,
the responsibility is theirs and the results
fall upon their own heads."
In concluding his address, Mr. Moody
said:
"If on these propositions these defend
ants escape a trial. It will be a calamity
to the Government and for these defend
ants. T hold for them that they are In
nocent until they are proved to be guilty.
Tou. Judge Humphrey, alone of all the
8u,000,CCO people of this land, have the so
lution of this question, and I leave It
with confidence to you."
Only Compulsion Gives Immunity.
When ho resumed his argument this
morning, Mr. Moody began by citing a
number of authorities in support of tho
position maintained by the Government,
"A person cannot be compelled as a wit
ness before any tribunal." he said, "and
In order to bo compelled, he must bo a
witness before some tribunal under com
pulsion of the law. To give incriminating
evidence against himself, the compulsion
must bo exercised over his claim of ex
emption. The substitute by which the
constitutional privilege of any man may
be supplanted must be co-extenslvo with
the privilege which It supplants. It need
not be more."
The Attorney-General argued at consid
erable length on tho contention that, lu
order to obtain Immunity, a witness must
claim It under oath and while on the wit
ness-stand. He declared that none of tho
defendants In tho present case had dono
this, and that, therefore, claims for Im
munity could not be seriously considered
by the court.
Xo Authority for Packers Claim.
Concerning the compulsion said by the
packers to have been exercised by Mr.
Garfield, the Attorney-General said:
There Is no longer any contention here
that there was any actual compulsion in
the acts of Mr. Garfield other than the
powers Invested in him. The claims are
made that the Information furnished to a
Government official entitled to have it was
furnished under compulsion of the law and
that under the act oC 1So3 thls entitles the
defendants to Immunity. That and noth
ing elae Is the Issue in this case. This
question Is strangely void of authority. My
friends, the attorneys npon the other side,
have not cited one line of authority upon
this question. Upon the other hand, we
have the Interpretation of a long line of
Government officers and one case which
bears directly upon the point at issue.
The Attorney-General declared that the
statements of John 8. Miller, who repre
sents Armour & Co. In the case, were
utterly at variance with the terms of the
Immunity act. The Attorney-General
said:
Immunity Bath, of Lawbreakers.
Mr. Miller said In bis arcument that, if a
man had committed a crime in the postal
service and went voluntarily to the proper
person and made- confession, he would be
entitled to Immunity if the law gave Ira-
munlty. Let us see where th most ex
traordinary claim leads to. It is a great j
discovery of my learned friend, ror which
yet uncounted generations of captains of
Industry will thank him. Washington will
become the altrurlx to which they report
for the pardon of their offenses. It will be
much easier. Instead or running away from
a subpena. to run toward the Government
agency and serve a confession upon the
Government agent.
Anybody In this land who is now seeking
to avoid tho service of a subpena will thank
my learned friend for giving him a very
much shorter road to travel. "Washington,
under such circumstances, would become a
creat resort, not only In Winter but in
Summer. Al! the people who are violating
the laws of the land may go there at In
tervals and obtain their Immunity. All they
have to do Is to go there In obedience to
the compulsion of the law. He can do It
at Intervals. The law Is a license to com
mit crime. Xow T can fancy these gentle
men catherlng there. I can fancy Itr. Swift
and Mr. Armour and their meeting. in
"Washington with some other creat mag
nate who has been washed In what they
may call "Miller's Bath." 1 can imagine
them meeting and saying:
"Good morning. jfootl morning. Mr.
Rockefeller, have you had your immualty
bath this morning?" Look at the absurd
ity of the thing.
The sarcasm of the Attorney-General
brought out much laughter, and the bai
liffs hail some trouble in restoring quiet
in the courtroom.
Mr. Miller, who had waived part of the
timo allotted for his argument to allow
the Attorney-General to speak, made a
brief reply to some of the questions asked
by the Attorney-General. Immediately
after the conclusion of his argument. Mr.
Moody left for Washington.
NINETEEN LOST IN STORM
LEADEK OP AMERICAN" COLONY
IX MEXICO IXCLUDED.
Pleasure-Seekers and Fishermen Off
Gulf Coast or Mexico Killed
by Terrible Xorther.
MEXICO CITY, March 20. Nineteen
persons perished in a terrific norther
which swept the coast of Vera Cruz
yesterday. Two of the storm victims
were pleasure-seekers from this city,
B. Strlttmatter. nephew of J. C. Stritt
matter. president of tho American
club, and Francisco Pena. a member of
a prominent family here. The other
17 were fishermen.
J. C Bush. C. ir. Bush and R. Bark
ley, who were In a boat with Strltt
matter and Pena, were rescued.
It Is believed that there has been
further loss of life. As yot no reports
have been made of vessels lost.
SEVEN CENTS IN POCKET
Absconding Bny City Broker. Dies
of Yellow Fever in Guatemala.
SAX FRANCISCO, March 3.-Conftrma-
tlon of tho death oT AJIerr Howard, the
absconding broker, who left hero last Au
gust with 560.000. has been received by
the Chief of Police hi a communication
from the State Department Inclosing
threo dispatches from Alfred Winslow,
the American Consul at Guatemala City.
Tho dispatches chiefly tell of Howard's
flight through New Orleans to Puerto
Barrios and of his attempt to reach Gua
temala City by a circuitous route.
While stopping at a small hamlet How
ard was stricken with yellow fever, from
which ho died within a few days. Only
7 cents was found among his effects.
GOOD BLOOD FOR OREGON
Splendid Horses Imported for Im
provement of Xativo Stock.
BOSTON. Mass.. March 20. (Special.)
Twelve magnificent horses, three of them
stallions, a fourth a Welsh cob, along
witn three valuable Dorkings, two brace
of Indian game birds and a great .Eng
lish mastiff, arrived or. the Whito Star
liner Cymric today from Liverpool.
Tho horses are conalgneJ to tho Bald
win Sheep & Land Company at Hay
creek. Or. All the animals are yearlings
or two-year-olds with loiitr registered ped
igrees, and are worth about eich.
They are of the well-known Harold stock.
Chicago coxsrr. arocsfs Brit
ish STATESMEN
Consul Charles G. Henrotla.
Consul'General Charles G. HenroUn,
representative of Belgium In Chicago,
seems to have aroused the British gov
ernment. Boring the recent agltaUon
over the atrocities, in the Congo. Mr.
Henrotln severely criticized the mis
sionaries of the Congo Improvement
Association. Recently, according to
d&spatche. Sir xMward Grey, for tho
government, was questioned in Parlia
ment la London as to the statements
appearing in Chicago newspapers as
emanating from Consul Heorotin that
the British, government was trying to
.seize the Conro Free State. The
charges made against the missionaries
were that they were actuated by Im
pure motives and that their stories of
the Congo brutalities were exaggerated
for the purpose of arousing public
sentiment in America and En Eland
hostile to the continuance of Belgian
rule. Sir Edward Grey said these
charces had not come to the notice of
the British, xovernment officially.
.
RICHEST OF MEN
BADLY WOHRIE
John D, Rockefeller on
Verge of Insanity.
DAUGHTER'S WILD DELUSION
Haunted by Dread She Wi
Die in Poverty.
BROTHER A CANCER VICTIM
blaster of Standard Oil Guarded in
Lakewood Fortress Against Process-Servers
While Disease
Plays Havoc In Family.
NEW TORK, March 20. John D. Rocke
feller, the richest man in the world, is
worrying himself Into a state bordering
on Insanity In his heavily-guarded homo
at Lakewood. X. J., his friends fear to
day, while his daughter. Mrs. Charles A.
Strong, wife of the Columbia Unlverslty
professor. Is In France attended by the
greatest specialists, who aro striving to
euro her of the strange delusion that she
will die a pauper.
This delusion seems to grow on her,
despite tho certainty that her inherltanco
out of her father's vast fortune can
scarcely bo short of $G0.000.0CO.
Mr. Rockefeller's condition Is due. In a
large measure, to his daughter's mental
state, his friends say. and worry over her
Is as much to bo blamed a3 worry over
tho process-servera who have haunted his
steps and made him take to his beautiful
country residence, which is in a state of
armed siege. He Is also distressed over
the illness of his brother.
Daughter's Dread of Poverty.
According to tho latest reports front
Cannes, whero Mrs. Strong has been all
Winter, sho is no better. She atill con
tinues tho system, of close economy that
first drew attention to her mental state.
She discharges several servants a day,
believing that sho cannot afford to keep
them. The servants, of course, pay no
attention to such actions, as they aro
under Instructions to humor their mis
tress in every possible way.
Mrs. Strong economizes on laundry and
grocery bills and thus far efforts to di
vert her attention have met with but
little success.
Brother Has Cancer.
Confirmation was obtained today oC
statements that William Rockefeller,
brother of John D., is suffering from
cancer, but not of the virulent typo re
ported. It was. learned that Mr. Rocke
feller was advised by his physicians last
Fall to go abroad because of a cancer,
a growth at the base of the tongue,
which for the last two or three years has
been causing more or less trouble. At
times it was necessary for Mr. Rocke
feller to lower his voice to such an ex
tent that it was barely possible to under
stand him In conversation. The recent
reports of his Illness are attributed to a
probable renewal of symptoms previously
displayed.
Goes Abroad to Escape Hud Icy.
In Quarters usually well Informed as to
the interests of William Rockefeller, no
alarm was expressed today over the re
ports of his Illness. It was intimated
that, in view of the pending Standard Oil
Investigations, it was thought best for
William Rockefeller in his present con
dition, to spend tho Winter in Italy. No
confirmation could be had of tho report
that his ailment had developed Into
cancer.
William Rockefeller has always been
active In tho management of Standard
Oil interests, aside from the Standard
Oil Company, but since tho resignation
of John D. Rockefeller and hi3 son from
practically every corporation but tho
Standard Oil Company the responsibili
ties of William Rockefeller "have in
creased. .
FIGHT AGAINST HOGGATT
Objection to Confirmation Holds Up
Appointment as Governor.
OREGOXIAN XEWS BUREAU, Wash-
Ingtori, March. 20. Objection was made in
the Senate today to tho confirmation of
W. B. Hoggatt as Governor of Alaska.
Whether this opposition will be sufficient
to defeat his confirmation was not de
veloped, but 'the nomination went over
without action. Mr. Hoggatt's past
record has been brought up against him,
notwithstanding the President felt suro
ho had reformed.
3fay DriTe Sheep Across Itcscrvc.
OREGONIAX XEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington, March 20. Senator Fulton had a
hearing today before the Indian commit
tee in advocacy of his bill" permitting
Umatilla County sheepmen, particularly
thoso around Pendleton, to drive their
sheep across the Umatilla Indian reser
vation In going to the Summer range In
the Wenaha forest reserve. The Secre
tary of the Interior now refuses them
permission to cross the reservation, and
In consequence they are obliged to make i
a detour of 80 to So miles. The committee
will Incorporate the bill as an amend
ment to the Indian appropriation bill.
Fish Hatchery Bill Heported
OREGOXIAX NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington. March 20. The omnibus fish
hatchery bill was favorably reported to
the House "today, carrying $25,000 each for
fish hatcheries In Washington and Idaho.