Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, March 28, 1908, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    VOL. XL VIII XO. 14.767.
PORTLAND, OREGON, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1908.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
QUAKES DESTROY
CITY OF GHILAPA
Fire Consumes Ruins
of Buildings.
SHOCKS HAVE WIDE INFLUENCE
American Woman Dies in the
Panic at Vera Cruz.
PEOPLE FLEE TO FIELDS
f-hock S-verr From Pacific to 4ulf,
but Lossor lMfe Is Slight One
or (ho West Indies Is
Badly Shaken.
WENB OF THK EARTHQUAKE.
The State of Guerrero, In which
tit. earthquake nu most severely
felt, border on the Talnc Ocean
and contains the port of Acapulco.
It has an area or 2.YW10 square
miles. The slate Is mountainous, be
in traversed by the Slerre Mndre
del Hur. which attains an altitude
of feet. It abounds In mineral
wealth and produces cereals, fruit,
cacao, coffee, vanll'a. cotton and
tobacco. The population In luoo was
4711. :n.-,.
The state and Its principal cities
havw suffered grently from earth
quakes. The capital, ehllpancingu,
was thus destroyed In intra and
again In 11)07.
The extent of the earthquake Is
shown by Its being felt at Vera
frus on the tulf of Mexico. 190
miles east hy south of the Pity of
Mexico, while Chllapa Is 13,-, miles
south hy (wnt of the latter city.
Vera Crux was taken by the A meri
ts n in iti47 antl B :, ,(,,., from the
point where fortes landed In 1510
with the Spanish conquerors.
MEXICO CITY. March 27. Chilapa, a
town of 15.000 Inhabitants ih the state
of Guerrero, has been shaken by an
earthquake and burned.
The shock, two In number, occurred
early last evening and were followed by
Are. which. originating In a dozen places
among the 'tumbling buildings, joined In
a conflagration that swept the town.
Governor Damian Flores chief execu
tive of the state of Guerrero, who is at
present In this city, had at 9 o'clock
this evening just received the first of
ficial advices from Chilapa. The message
says that, although a number of the
building.-, of the town were leveled to
the ground no lives were lost. The police
quarters and the Maor"s ofttce were de
stroyed and the jail badly damaged.
Orrat fissures were made in the streets
and open fields.
In the neighboring town of Ometepec
the jail wrs destroyed and 30 prisoners
made their escape. Troops are guard
ing the public buildings that are stand
ing In tTlilapa, but perfect order pre
vails. Town in Ruins, X I,ives lost.
Later returns from Chilapa show, how
ever, that the dispatch received by Gov
ernor flores was ultra-conservative. The
town was practically destroyed, though
no lives were lost. Most of the buildings
that were leveled were residences.
Thirty-four shocks have been recorded
during the past 24 hours by the seismo
graph at the National observatory at
Tabuyaea Most of these shocks, how
ever, were Imperceptible except to the
delicate needle of the instrument.
American Killed in Panic.
Mrs. Kmma Jcannett Dorville. an
American, lost her life in a panic in
the Tllnircio Theater In the city of Vei
Cruz, which followed the earthquake of
last night. News of the panic and the
one death which followed reached this
city tonight. When the quake came,
the audience rushed for the exits, and
many persons were severely bruised, but
none seriously injured. Mrs. Dorville
dropped dead from fright.
In this city a gendarme was killed. 15
persons were slightly and one fatally
Injured by falling beams and walls. All
of these belonged to the working classes.
People nee to Fields.
Early today :i Impartial, the govern
ment organ, received a dispatch from
its correspondent In the town of Chil
panclngo saying that fhe town of Chtl
apa. 30 miles distant from that place,
was totally destroyed by tie earthquake
and that Are broke out in the ruins and
was completing the work of destruction.
The people of the town were terrorized
and many were praying In the open
plazas and In the fields adjoining the
town.
Some hours later the same correspond
ent aent the following dispatch:
"Iatcr returns confirm my tirst tele
gram. Chilapa has been shaken to the
earth and reduced to ashes. I avoid
the sending of details."
Town Large, hut Itcmotc.
This correspondent is- the sole one
working near the scene. The Associated
Preaa unavallingly tried throughout the
day to confirm the news of the total
destruction of the (own by earthquake
and fire.
Chilapa has a population of some 13.
ono people and is the largest town In the
State of Guerrero. To reach the place
it Is necessary to travel one day by
train and then four days over a rough
mountain trail on horseback. Tele
graphic communication has . not been
interrupted with Chilapa.
W ide Area Keels. Quake.
Reports coming in from various points
in the rapublic show that the quake was
felt over a very wide area, but that in
no place, with the possible exception of
Chilapa, - was thePe. a considerable loss
of property.
Severest Shock of Year.
ALBANY, N. Y., March 27. It was dis
covered at the State Museum this morn
ing that an earthquake of high intensity
and long duration had been registered by
the seismographs there last night. The
main shock was preceded and followed
by other disturbances, which seem to have
originated in the same zone, the shock
probably marking successive stages of
convulsions. It is ' one of the severest
registered during the last year. i
SAME SHOCKS AT ST. THOMAS
earthquakes at Chilapa Extend
Across Caribbean Sea.
WASHINGTON, March 27. The earth
quake which is reported to have de
stroyed the Mexican -town of Chilapa
Senator N. W. A Idrirh . Ant hor or
the Currency Bill Pattd by the
Senate.
undoubtedly is the same disturbance
that shook, the Island of St. Thomas
yesterday afternoon, which was record
ed at Washington last evening1, and
which caused considerable alarm In
Mexico City last night.
At Washington two shocks were re
corded by the instruments . of the
"Weather Bureau. They were approxi
mately at a distance, of 240O miles.
The disturbance took place, at 6:09
P. M. and the second at- 10:40.
In addition to this there was
recorded on the afternoon of March
25 at Washington evidences of a strong
shock, believed to be in the same lo
cality as those of yesterday. "
The town of Chilapa is something
over 2000 miles from WashYng'ton. . It
is 40 miles from the railroad.
The state of Guerrero is the earth
quake belt. April 15, 1907, it experi
enced a quake which did considerable
damage. A,t this time Chilpaneingo
and Chilapa were partially destroyed,
and the death list exceeded , 100. The
shock of 1907 did damage to a number
of smaller towns in the state of
Guerrero.
Sharp. Shock in St. Thomas.
ST. THOMAS. D. W. i., March 27. A.
sharp earthquake shock occurred here
yesterday-afternoon and created much
alarm. No damage, however, is reported.
FEDERAL AID FOR. TAFT
A I lcgcil om bine Bel weon Gove rn
mcnt and "the Interests."
I'TICA, JC. V., March 27. Ervin
Wardman, editor of the New York
Press, in an address here tonight, de
clared that Federal employes in every
sectio nof the country are devoting all
their energies and ttine for the nom
ination of Secretary Taft for the Presi
dency. He said in part:
"We are struck with horror as "the
details are uncovered of a compact be
tween Mr. Taft's managers and the
high financiers of Wall street, whereby
his candidacy is underwritten by those
very 'undesirable citizens against
rlproaring a war that has been raging
for seven years to land the residuary
legation In the White House.
"Mr. Roosevelt denies that he lias
the Federal machine luider his orders
to force the nomination of Mr.sTaft on
of anyone, but the facts remain
whether it be by his command or
against his desire and injunction, the
Federal machine is exerting all the
power of the United States Govern
ment to compel the Republican voters
to take the nomination of Mr. Taft."
Wr. Wardman advocated the nomina
tion of Governor Hughes, "a champion
of the cause in which the American
people have enlisted and master of the
methods that can make it supreme."
Bryan Speaks at Pittsburg.
PITTSBl'RU. March 27. William J.
Bryan addressed a large audience at Ex
position Hall tonight, under the auspices
of the Pennsylvania Bryan Democratic
league. Today he held a reception at
his hotel. Ho leaves for Wheeling, W.
Va.. tomorrow and win speak at Par
kersburg Saturday night.
LINES TIGHTER THAN EVER
Congressman French Prophesies Xo
Immigration Mcasnre.
NEW (YORK, March 27. Congress
man Hurton I French, of Idaho, vis
ited t he . immigration department on
Ellis Island today to investigate the
situation with reference to the Bennett
bill on immigration, now before a com
mittee in the House of Representatives.
Speaking of immigration. Mr. French
said:
"It is extremely Improbable that any
immigration measure will be adopted
by the present Congress. While a
movement is on foot to modify the re
striction as regards Oriental races. I
am confident that the movement will
fail, and that the lines will be drawn
tia-hter than ever."
e ' - - :l
; :!
I. : .'.j A
I . - . " jnee. jssK V " ' i I
I .i ""-if 8 ist T
; K ; , t ,
SWr,,.- nsf IssSiBM ' n'.- i ifcjimnj
BANKERS
DMT
THEFT OF MILL
Enormous Fraud on
Pittsburg Concern.
HAS CONTINUED THREE YEARS
Reiber and Young in League
With Brokerage Firm.
BANK IS STILL SOLVENT
Farmers Deposit National Makes l"p
Stolen $1, 105,000 Out or Sur
plus and Has Large Sum
Remaining.
PITTSBLTRG,- Pa., March 27. Henry
Reiber, payin? teller, and John Tounsr.
auditor, of the Farmers' Deposit National
Bank, late today were taken to the office
of United States Commissioner W. T.
Lindsay for arraignment on additional
chances filed against them by Bank Ex
aminer William T. Folds this afternoon.
The charges filed today increase the total
of the alleged defalcations to $1, 105.000.
The accused waived hearings and the
bond of acli was fixed at $205,000, in de
fault of which they were returned to jail,
where they have been confined since their
arrest Monday night charged with the
embezzlement of $85,000.
Two days later knottier charge was
filed accusing them of conspiracy to de
fraud the bank out of ' $300,000. . Harry
Silverman,. Pittsburg representative of
Miller & Company, New York Stock Ex
change brokers, was also named in the
conspiracy charge, but secured his'' re
lease under $15,000 bail.
Bank Makes Vp Shortage.
T. H. Given, president of the bank,
gave out the fallowing statement: .
"At a special meeting of the board of
directors it was resolved that the actual
amount of the defalcation of the paying
teller and the auditor had been definitely
ascertained to be $1,105,000. This amount
'was ordered tc be charged off at once out
of a surplus and other undivided profits
of $2,863,000,. leaving the capital of $.
000,000 and the surplus and other undl-
vided profits $l,758,000.
Confess All Their Crimes.
Containing two counts, embezzlement
and misapplication and false entries in the
teller's statement book, the information
charges the fraud extended over a period
of three years prior to March 10, 1S08.
Funds of the banks, it is alleged, were
diverted as late as March of this year.
The men accused have made a confes
sion to the Government authorities and a
statement to Mr. Folds Bhows that the
amount they say they appropriated cor
responds with the shortage in the bank
at present.
According to a persistent rumor, infor
mations against many business men in
this city and other cities are to be made
within a short time.
AVill Turn State's Evidence.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 27. John
Dalzell 'Robertson, assistant secretary
of the defunct California Safe Deposit
& Trust Company, is in New York
and anxious to return to San Fran
cisco and turn state's evidence. Rob
fci mmiwmk : ' life:
T " T-T r-T-T-T--r-fr tttttxt 1"f"T- - - rBBH,.l4
ertson was indicted with J. Dalzell
Brown, Walter J. Bartnett and James
Treadwell for embezzlement. Through
frlendB. he has made a complete con
fession and hopes for immunity. His
statements directly involve Bartnett,
Brown and Treadwell.
Cashier Is Bound Over.
DEADWOOD, S. D.. March 37.
George Horas. cashier of the Hot
Springs. S. D.. National Bank, which
failed last October, was arrested today
on the charge- of embezzlement c $25,
000. He waived hearing and was
bound over for trial in the sum of
$5000 bail.
Holland Likes American Meats.
THE HAGUE, March 27. The second
chamber of The Netherlands Parliament
today approved a convention with the
United States under which American
meats are to enter Holland at a reduc
tion of the present import rates.
Asks for . Receiver.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 27. Attorney-General
Webb has filed a petition
President 1 n vld H Mr Jordan, of
Stanford University, Who Declare
Students' Protest Orgunired Revolt.
asking that a receiver, be appoined for
the Market-Street Bank, on the ground
that it is insolvent. An answer is ex
pected. from the officials of the bank and
a hearing will be held.
SCORE HURT IN TORNADO
HEAVY WIND STRIKES IOWA
AND ILLINOIS. v
Freightcars Blown From Track,
Houses and Barns demolished
and Church destroyed.
1
BURLINGTON, Iowa, March 27. A re
port from New Boston, Iowa, a town
about ten miles west of Fort Madison, on
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail
road, states that a tornado struck that
place " tonight, blowing 12 freight cars
from ' the tracks, demolishing a church
and injuring a number of people.
The storm crossed the Mississippi River
and entered Illinois near Madison. The
wind ploughed through "Warren County,
Illinois, destroying houses and barns and
Injuring several persons.
It is estimated that a score of persons
in Iowa and Illinois were injured. Prop
erty damage will reach many thousands
of dollars. A heavy wind and electric
storm prevailed all over the southeastern
part of Iowa tonight.
Diamond-Workers Cease.
AMSTERDAM. March 27. The Dia
mond Workers' Union has proclaimed a
cessation of work during the month of
April. This will affect 11,000 men in the
polishing and allied trades. When work
is resumed the union intends to- demand
higher wages for its' members.
t f
! - t
COLLEGE LIFE IN CALIFORNIA
ROOSEVELT DID
NOT THUMP DESK
DiekemaKillsWilliams'
Sensation.
MOVEMENT TO CENSURE FAILS
Comparison to King George
Not Appropriate.
HAS RIGHT TO- DISCUSS
Charge of Breach of Privilege Calls
Forth Vindication of President
Front . Man Who Disa
greed With Him.
WASHINGTON. March 27. Williams, of
Mississippi, in the ' House today gave
notice of his lnfention to'introduce a res
olution "to ask the committee on judi
ciary to examine whether there has been
on the part of the Executive a breach
of privilege of the House of Representa
tives." Williams said his resolution
would be based on a news' item appearing
today in the Washington Post, bearing
the heading "Roosevelt Rakes Dleke
man." The story stated that ulon the
occasion of a visit yesterday to the
White House, Diekeman, of Michigan,
who was a member of the sub-committee
which investigated the charges
against Judge Wilfley, had been taken to
task by the President for having cen
sured the Judge.
In calling attention to the matter Wil
liams said that it was a part of funda
mental law that no representative of
the people shall' be called to account for
any .vote, utterance or report made
in his capacity as a Representative. - He
said:
King George's AVicked Ways.
Our forefathers inserted that clause be
cause It bad been the habit of George III
V Parliament and berate them on account of
the ve'en Mi Parliament, or when members
of Parlla'ment called upon other business to
take adjrant&g-e of the fact to berate thera
and to class them among- the crowds of
King's friends or not Klng-s friends.
Diekeman said It would have heen cow
ardly, a neglect of his duty and an in
justice to the President did he not make
an explanation.
"The President did not send for me,"
he said, emphatically. "That statement
is an entire mistake."
Xo Intolerance Shown.
He said he called to present the Gov
ernor of Michigan to the President and
the Wilfley matter came up incidentally.
The President, he said, insisted that the
report of the sub-committee would do
Judge Wrilfley an injustice and influence
opinion unfairly to the administration of
justice and prestige of the American
Nation In China. "
"On the other hand," said Diekeman,
"I endeavored to explain to him why we
arrived at these conclusions of law and
'fact." Raising his voice to a high pitch
and speaking directly at Williams, Dieke
man exclaimed:
"Not only did he not act as George III
would have acted, with a spirit of in
tolerance, but he gave me all the time
I desired to present fully to him the side
of the committee."
The President, he said, did not agree
with the committee's concrusions, nor
did he agree with those of thfi Presi
dent. He insisted that the President had
a perfect right to " debate the question
with him. Diekeman continued :
A member of the Houw has a perfect
right to defend his position and tn the
spirit of the utmost libertyand Qf the ut
most consideration for a member of the
House, in the spirit of utmost tolerance, th
great President of the T'nlted States recog
nized that ' richt. Neither in the discussion
did the President display the least symp
toms of intolerance, but at all times dis
played the broadest spirit of American tol
erance, such as has made our country great
and such as has exemplified the president
in the history of his past career.
"Did the President thump his desk, as
the article states? Williams inquired.
Did ot Thump Desk.
"I am glad to say," Diekeman replied,
"that the President, did not thump his
desk, but, the President, in his usual
vigorous style, used gestures."
Diekeman answering questions by Mr.
"William denied that the President had
"called him to account," or that the
President said The gentlemen of the
Bub-committee had no right to go on and
make these reflections upon Judge Wil
fley;' .
After this incident, the House engaged
in a desultory .debate on the agricultural
i
It r , f I
f - ? ' I
j i ' '1
t - I. :
I V - M:
1 S.ll i1L?rlTls1iistf-,.Mlsjt.afct..,muJ ,
ir, i
' ,
Governor John A. ' Johnson, of Min
' nesota, Who at Lest Admits Can
didacy for President.
appropriation bill, which, however, had
not been materially amended when It was
laid aside. . i
The House passed 360 private pension
bills, at the rate of ten a minute.
An urgent deficiency appropriation bill
appropriating J2,000,000 for carrying on
the work of the Washington Naval Gun
Factory was passed.
SAVED BY LIMITATION LAW
Dresser Cleared of Bond Swindle
' Because Offense Too Old.
NEW YORK,' Dec. 27. G. Leroy Dresser,
ex -president of the Trust Company of the
Pacific, who recently was arrested on a
charge of larceny, was declared not guilty
and discharged by Magistrate Barlow in
Police Court. Dresser was arrested on
March 16 on complaint of William S. An
drews, a New York lawyer, who charged
tha.t Dresser withheld $4000 in a bond
transaction -dating back to December 12,
190
Magistrate Barlow, in discharging
Dresser, said: "The statute of limitations
intervenes in the case, and therefore, ac
cording to the date; the defendant could
not be held to be guilty of the crime of
larceny."-
CONTENTS TODAY' SPAPER
Th Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 51
' degrees; minimum, 38.
TODAY'S Fair and warmer; northwest
winds. ' ' . '
Sports.
American auto starts for Seattle by steamer.
Page 4.
Hoppe wins world's billiard championship.
Page 3. .
Pacific Coast.
Assassin of Stevens to plead Insanity.
Page 5.
Jordan defends Stanford faculty and de
nounces students' movement as revolt.
Page 5. -
' Orearon politicians scramble at eleventh hour
to iret nominating petitions filled within
time limit. Page 6. -Cool
heads avert riots at Treadwell. Page 6.
Foreign.
Earthquake in MpxIco destroys city of
rhilapa and does lamage In wide area.
Page 1.
Abruzzi refuses io talk of engagement, but
implies it is true. Page 2.
National. 1
Movement In House to censure Roosevelt
ends in fizzle. Page 1.
Objections to Hill said to have been orig
inated by Americans. Page 2.
Hawley enlfsts Roosevelt's active aid in
passing land-grant resolution. Page 3.
Senate passes A Id rich currency bill with
v many amendments. Page 4.
Politics.
Governor Johnson admRs he is candidate,
"but denies opposition to Bryan. Page 1.
Domestic
Murder of Chinaman in New York suspected
of informing , on Boston murderers.
Pago 3.
Con gressman Heflm sh oo t s two men In
Washington streetcar. Page 4.
Two Pittsburg bank: officials confess rob
bing bank of $1,105,000. page V
Montana mineowners buy smelter to fight
trust. Page 5.
Tornado Injures many persons and does
much damage in Iowa and Illinois.
Page 1.
PortUtnd and Vicinity.
Mount Hood Railway begins court pro
ceedings for right of way. Pae 16.
Dr. Coe will, support Taft for President.
Page
Chief Campbell calls for precautions against
fire in schools. Page 12.
Indications that Portland gateway will be
opened. Page lO.
Judge Cleland to give decision in libel suit.
Page 12.
Democatic party in Oregon in no danger
of losing identity. Page 10.
Executive Board may compel electric light
company to increase height of street
lights. Page 10.
Commercial and Marine.
Large shipments of Oregon eggs to Alaska.
Page 17.
Chicago wheat market weak and dull.
Page 17.
Stocks bid up strongly at closing. Page 17.
Hetall trade good In most sections. Page 17.
British ship Neotsfleld is fixed for general
- caxao at Hamburg. Pa 1C
JOHNSON
ADMITS
HE IS WILLING
Defines Position Anent
Nomination.
DISAPPROVES OPEN CANDIDACY
Says No American Should
Avowedly Seek Presidency.
WOULD NOT OPPOSE BRYAN
Inqnlry From Swedish-American
Xewspaper Brings Forth First
Utterance From MinncMta'g
Governor About Aspiration.
ST. PAt"U Minn.. March IT. A letter
was written to Governor Johnson by
Swan J. Tumhull. publisher of th
Swedish-American Post, of Minneapolis,
on March 23, asking him to state his
position In regard t the nomination for
the Presidency. Governor Johnson in
reply said In part:
"I do not believe any American should
be an active open candidate for the
nomination to the Presidency. Any
American would appreciate the high
honor which would come to him In being;
selected as standard bearer of his party.
I have hitherto avoided any public or
private expression regarding my position.
Matters have progressed so far. however,
that It seems to me I should at leasK
say, . In answer to your Interrogation,
that if the Democratic party of the Na
tion believed me to be more available
than any other man and felt that by my
nomination, I could con-tribute any service
to the party and to the Nation, I should
be happy to be the recipient of the honor
which It would thus confer.
"I have .done nothing and will do-nothing
in the way of organization to bring
about this end and shall not be a candi
date In the sense of seeking the nomina
tion. In this connection I desire it un
derstood that In no sense am I to be a
candidate for the purpose of defeating
Mr. Bryan or any other man. If tfig
Democratic party snould see fit to nomi
nate Bryan or any one else, the action
would meet with my approval and the
nominee certainly would have my un
qualified support, as I should expect hU
support if conditions were reversed.
"In order that there may be no doubt,
I would say. In answer to your question,
that if a nomination came to me, I cer
tainly should not refuse it."
Nominated After 761 Ballots.
ANDERSON, Ind., March 27. Nathan
B. Hawkins, of Portland, was nomi
nated for Congress by the Republicans
of the Eighth District this afternoon
on the 761st ballot, after the -convention
had been In session since yester
day afternoon at 3 o'clock.
Milton to Succeed Bryan.
TAL.UAHA9SEE. Fla., 'March 27. Gov
ernor Broward today appointed Hall Mil
ton of Marianna to succeed the late Sen
ator William J. Bryan of Florida in the
United States Senate.
FOOD ALMOST EXHAUSTED
Overdue Ship Arrives From Aus
tralia Drumiuond Also Comes.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 27. The
American ship Isaac Reed, Captain An
derson, which was on the overdue list
and quoted for reinsurance at 15 per
cent, arrived today, 1 01 days from
Newcastle, Australia, with 1990 tons
of coal. When the tardy windjammer
reached port, the crew had been on
Bhort rations of food and water for 14
days and sustenance for onjy a day or
so more remained on board.
The Bliip James' Drummond, which
was reinsured at 20 per cent, also ar
rived today, 10T days from Newcastle,
Australia. Captain Harris blames
head winds and calms for his tardiness.
HIGHEST DAM IN WORLD
First Stone on Shoshone River Struc
ture to Be Laid.
BUTTE. Mont.,, March 27. The first
stone in the hipheet dam ever erected in
the world will be laid with appropriate
exercises tomorrow . on the Shoshone
River in Wyoming, according to a state
ment of Henry N. Savage, supervising
engineer In the Northwest of the recla
mation service.
Preliminary work on the big Shoshone
dam to convert the waters of the river
for irrigation purposes has been under
way over two years and the excavation
for the foundation has just been com
pleted. When finished the dam will be
315 feet in height.
Can't Agree on Grafting Charge.
ST. LOUIS. March 27. The jury in th
case of Fred Warner, member of the
House of Delegates, charged with brib
ery, disagreed and was discharged today.
Warner was indicted with F. W. Pries
meyer. another Delegate, on the charge of
having received $500 for influencing the
passage of an ordinance.
Guild's Friends Encouraged.
BOSTON, March 27. Governor Curtis
Guild passed the best day toda- of any
since his illness reached a critical stage.
He continued to improve steadily, and
while the gains have been slight, his fam
ily and friends feel much, mors encouraged