MURAL
CERTAINTY
SPOKANE LOSES
Commission Agrees on
Rate Decision.
WILL ANNOUNCE IN FEW DAYS
Conditions of Inland and Coast
Cities Unlike.
WATER TRANSIT GOVERNS
Spokane's Contention Tntler Hep
burn Act Again Overruled and
Kate System for Entire AVest
Is Finally Established.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
ington. Feb. 22. The Interstate Com
merce Commission has not yet announced
Its decision in the Spokane rate case; in
fact, the opinion, written some days ago
by Commissioner Prouty, is stiil undar
consideration by various members of the
Commission and will be subject to modi
fication until formally promulgated.
Pending final agreement, no member of
the Commission will discuss the decision,
but there is a general understanding, as
stated in these dispatches two days ago,
that the rinding is adverse to Spokane
and favorable to the contention of the
railroads and of Portland and other sea
port towns on the Pacific Coast.
Spokane entered protest against the
transcontinental charges Imposed on
freight shipped from Chicago and points
East to that city, and asked that rail
roads be compelled to give Spokane at
least as low, and preferably a lower rate,
than Is charged on the same grades of
freight shipped to Portland, Puget Sound
and other tidewater destinations on the
Pad no Coast.
Contentions) of Spokaire.
It was contended that the long and
short haul clause of the Hepburn act
was designed specifically to meet this
situation. Cnder the prevailing rates
It was alleged that Portland and Pu
get Bound Jobbers were able to com
pete In Spokane markets with Eastern
Jobbers, and that Spokane suffered In
consequence. This was Spokane's con
tention some years ago, when this same
question was raised and when the com
mission, after deliberation, held that
Coast points, because they enjoyed wa
ter competition, were entitled to a low
er rate than Spokane.
Spokane's entire hope In the pend
ing case was built upon the long and
short haul clause of the Hepburn act,
which provlds that a "higher rate
shall not be charged for a shorter haul
than for a longer haul, when the short
er haul Is Included entirely within the
longer, and In the same direction and
under substantially similar conditions.
Conditions Not Similar.
If rumor Is correct, the commission In
deciding adversely to Spokane bases Its
opinion upon the last phrase Just quoted.
The rate to Portland and Coast points
is not fixed "under substantially similar
conditions" as the rate to Spokane. The
latter point does not enjoy the advantage
of water competition, Portland and Puget
Sound have water competition, and un
der the principles laid down by the com
mission In other cases, water competition
Is a material factor In determining the
reasonableness of rail rates. The com
mission recognizes that rail rates to
points on tidewater must necessarily be
lower than rates to points equl-distant
from the point of shipment. In order
successfully to meet water competition.
Otherwise railroads would be deprived of
their share of the business. This, also,
was the contention of the transconti
nental roads which are the parties to
the Spokane case. Spokane, if the ru
mor be correct, loses purely because of
Its Inland location, remote from water
transportation.
Affects Whole of AVcst.
The commission has had many con
ferences over the Spokane case and it
Is not yet known whether Its decision is
unanimous or reached by majority vote.
The commission regarded It as one of
the most important questions raised un
der the ne- rate law,' inasmuch as the
decision in this case affects the entire
Rocky Mountain country and inland
points lying between the mountains and
the Parilie Coast. Because of its im
portance, the commifsion has iven the
case more than ordinary care. Its formal
announcement of the decision is looked
for almost any day.
SPOKANE THREATENS BOYCOTT
If Kate Case Is Vnt-t, Will Ship by
Canaidian Line.
SPOKANE. Wash.. Feb. 22. Spokane
shippers are preparing a gigantic boy
cott against the Hill and Harrlman
railroads. The report that the Spokane
rate case will bo decided adversely to
Spokane has caused the merchants to
plan an organization whereby-all the
shippers will unite In having one rout
ing agent, who will route all the goods
sent out from Spokane over the Cana
dian Pacific road In hope of bringing
the desired concessions fom the. other
roads which will as a result lose the
Spokane business. The definite organi
zation will be effected as soon as it is
finally learned that the Spokane rate
case has been lost.
THIEF CAPTURES
MRS. LEWIS' GEMS
Wire OF PIXK-WHISKERED
STATESMAN BOBBED.
Jewels Disappear on Atlantic Liner.
Great "Jay Ham" to Aid
in Pursuit.
LONDON. . Ken. 22. (Special.) Mrs.
James Hamilton Lewis, of Chicago, who
in at the Hotel Cecil in this city, lost
Jt.500 worth of Jewelry while crossing the
Atlantic. The circumstances of the theft
have not been made known by Mrs.
Lewis, but it is understood that she does
not know who stole the property, al
though she is inclined to suspect a pas
senger who landed at Queenstown.
Mrs. Lewis remained a few days in
Liverpool to lay the matter before the
steamship company, which is causing an
Investigation to be made. All articles
stolen have been listed at the New York
custom-house, with photographs of some
of them. Mrs. Lewte knows that she
brought the Jewelry aboard with her, be
cause she wore a great deal of It and
carried the- rest In a bag.
Mrs. Lewis expects to be Joined by her
husband In Paris shortly, when further
steps are likely to bo taken to capture
the thief.
ARCTIC STORMS SEVERE
Codfishlng Schooner Wrecked and
Another t-'nable to Put to Sea.
SAN FRANCISCO. Feb. 22 On the cod
fishlng schooner John D. Spreckels,
which arrived from the Behring Sea to
day, were part of the crew of the
schooner City of Papeetee, the latter ves
sel having been laid up at Pirate Cove
on account of rough weather. Thomas
McKinley, a prospector from San Fran
cisco, reached the City of Papeetee after
nearly perishing from cold and starva
tion on the trails. Ho was cared for by
the crew.
News was brought by the Spreckels of
the loss of the fishing schooner Lottie in
Baranoff Harbor, near TJnga. during a
severe storm. Four of her crew were
rescued.
THREATEN LIFE OF PRIEST
Black Hand Demands $500 or Will
Blow Up Church.
NEW YORK, Feb. 22. Threats to blow
up the church and kill the assistant
rector. Father Llberatl, It was learned
today, have impelled the placing of a
day and night police guard at the Church
of Our Lady of Lorerta on Elizabeth
street, in the lower Bast Side.
A "Black Hand" letter received by
Father Llberatl on Saturday demanded
the payment of JSfiO by Wednesday of
this week, the failure to receive which,
the epistle stated, would Involve, the de
struction of the edifice and the killing
of the priest. The usual services aro
being held in the church.
ROBBERS CREMATE PAIR
Aged Couple Killed on Lonely Ranch
in Montana,
WHITEHALL. Mont., Feb. 22. Mrs.
William Crist, aged 85 years, anJ John
Teear, her hired man, nearly as old,
were cremated Saturday .night when the
cabin on the Crist ranch, six miles from
Jefferson, was burned. . It Is believed the
two were victims of a double murder, the
motive of which was robbery, and that
the fire was set tp conceal the crime.
The wqman was reputed to be wealthy
and to have kept considerable sums of
money In the ranch-house, but search of
the ruins failed to discloss any money
whatever.
ROBS SLEEPING OFFICERS
Prisoner Taken in Oregon Escapes
While Captors Sleep Soundly.
BRISTOL, Tenn., Feb. 22. After hav
ing been brought from Oregon, D. H.
Meads, wanted in Virginia for murder,
escaped today from two officers after
robbing them of their money, guns and
watches. Meade was captured In Ore
gon several weeks ago.
The officers, with their prisoner, re
paired to a hotel to rest. The prisoner
was handcuffed to one of the officers.
While they were asleep Meade secured
the handcuff keys, robbed the officers
and . escaped.
HARRIMAN PARTY GROWING
Mrs. Harrlman and DaiiRhter and
Friends to Join Magnate. ,
NEW YORK. Feb. 22. E. H. Harrl
man. who Is living in a tent near San
Antonio, will be Joined next week by
his wife and daughter, Carol Harrl
man. They will leave here for the
South on Thursday, accompanied by
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L Gerry, and Mrs.
Robert Goelet and others. The Harrl
man party will return to New York
by way of Chicago after their Mexican
and Pacific Coast tour.
LAUNCH MONSTER FIGHTER
Great Britain Sends Her Seventh
Dreadnought From Ways.
- i
BARROW. England. Feb. 22. The
battleship Vanguard, the seventh ves
sel of the Dreadnought class, was
launched here at noon today. It is
not believed that the Vanguard will
be completed before the end of 1909.
She will be the heaviest and most mod
ernly equipped ship of her class afloat.
Her length over all Is &43 feet: her dis
placement more than 19,300 tons.
ARUIADA OF PEACE
WELCOMED
Toasted by Roosevelt
With Great Glee.
SAILORS' PROUDEST MOMENT
Sperry Rejoices, at Responsi
bility Fulfilled.
FALSE PROPHETS SILENCED
Splendid Une of Battleships Falsi
fies Predictions of Disaster and
Crews Vent Enthusiasm in
Volleys of Clieers.'
FORTRESS MONROE, Va., Feb. 22.
"Not until some American fleet returns
victorious from a great sea battle will
there be another such homecoming,
another such sight, as this. I drink to the
American Navy-"
This was the toast of President Roose
velt today as he stood radiantly happy In
the cabin of the little cruiser yacht May
flower, at the conclusion of the review
and the ceremonies attending the welcome
home of the American battleship floet.
He was surrounded by the Admirals and
Captains of the 16 world-encircling ves
sels, brilliantly attired in all the gold lace
and paraphernalia of special full-dress
uniform, and every glass was raised In
response to the President's suggestions.
"We stay-at-homes also drink to the
men who have made us prouder than ever
of our country." added the President, and
again the toast was pledged.
"Our Proudest Moment" 'Sperry.
"When the ftex-t sailed from San Fran
cisco, Mr. President," replied Rear-Admiral
Charles S. Sperry, "you sent is a
message saying that ours was a heavy
responsibility .an .a. great honor. . That
we have today fulfilled the responsibility
makes this the proudest moment of our
lives. I say TVe' advisedly in speaking
of the fleet, for no. one man could have
done what has been done without the
loyal and willing co-operation of every
man on the fleet."
Thus briefly the Commander-in-Chief of
the returning ships made his official re
port to the Commander-in-Chief of the
Army and Navy.
The President was In the same Joyous
mood as he was when the ships set sail
14 months ago. To those who had wit
nessed that notable departure of the first
real battleship squadron ever gathered
under the American flag he constantly
expressed his enthusiasm over the safe
and triumphant return of the fleet which
was dispatched under his orders on a
cruise which. It was said, was too
hazardous for any such body of ships to
undertake.
"Do you remember the predictions of
disaster?" asked the President. "Well,
(Concluded on Page " 4.)
EXCITED INDIVIDUAL "HI!
HOME
STILL DEMOCRAT,
SAYS DICKINSON
DID XOT VOTE FOR TAFT AT
LAST ELECTION".
Future War Secretary Smilingly
Waves Aside Congratulations
and Keeps Secret.
CHICAGO, Feb. 22. (Special.) Jacob
M. Dickinson, Democrat and Confeder
ate veteran.' today received the con
gratulations of scores of his Chicago
friends, who regard him as practically
certain to become Secretary of War in
President W. H. Taffs Cabinet.
"But I have not admitted that I am
to enter the Cabinet," protested Judge
Dickinson, when his friends called him
up. When they insisted on proffering
congratulations, however, . he received
them with smiles.
"Can you say anything about your
visit to Mr. Taft?" he was asked.
"I can't say anything," he said. "I
can neither deny nor affirm reports.''
"Are you a Democrat?" -
"I am," he replied, "and I aid not
vote for Mr. Taft last Fall. I did not
vote at all."
DAVIS' NAME RESTORED
Amend-, for Slight Put on President
of Confederacy.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. Official
amends for the sensational elimination of
Jefferson Davis' name from the tablet
on Cabin John Bridge, six miles west of
this city, during President Lincoln's Ad
ministration, is given in directions the
Presdent ssued today through the Secre
tary of War to the chief engineers of the
Army to restore the name.
The tablet was begun under Davis as
Secretary of War and, when he Joined
the Confederacy and became its Presi
dent, his name, under Government or
ders, was chiseled from the tablet. The
erasure of the name was by direction of
Caleb Smith, Lincoln's Secretary of the
Interior, after a suggestion by Galusha
A. Grow, of Pennsylvania, then Speaker
of the House.
SYLVIA TO WED TOMORROW
Hetty Green's Daughter tp Be Mar
ried at Once, Jteport Says.
NEW YORK, Feb.. 22. Miss Sylvia
Green, daughterof Mrs. Hetty Green, and
Matthew Astor Wilkes, whose engage
ment was recently reported, will be mar
ried here at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning,
according to - tire World today. It was
said that Mr. and Mrs. Wilkes will de
part Immediately after the ceremony on
an automobile trip.
Mrs. Hetty Green declines to ' confirm
or deny tiie announcement.
FOIL NEW CHECK GAME
Philadelphia Police Capture Clever
Schemer and Save $108,500.
TORONTO. Ont., Feb. 22. Chris Hol
land, who is under arrest at Philadelphia,
attempted to get from local banks and
two express companies the sum of $108,
600, according to the police of this city.
There was deposited here in nine dif
ferent banks $90,000 of alleged spurious
checks supposed to have been Issued from
the Third National Bank of Philadelphia.
.MISTER, WOULD YOU MIND JUMPING OFF HEBE?
WON'T KILL YOU."
10 PAY. HENCE NO
SPECIAL
SESSION
Only Few Volunteer to
Go Back.
MATTER IS LEFT TO BENSON
Chamberlain to Let Successor
Tackle Problem.
PRINTING BILL DID PASS
Costs to State Are Materially Re
duced by Bean Law Court Re
porters' AVork Cut, but Pay
Raised, So It Is "Learned.
SALEM, Or., Feb. 22. (Special.) There
will be no special session of the Legisla
ture In the Immediate future, notwith
standing the $350,000 bill for improve
ments at state institutions is invalid.
Senator T. B. Kay, who undertook to
enlist the members of the Legislature in
the plan of holding a special session with
out expense to the state, has given the
project up after learning that only a few
members are willing to atteud a special
session at their own expense.
Matter Left to Benson.
Governor Chamberlain will not call a
special session, so the matter will be
passed up to Secretary of State Benson
after the latter Decomes Governor. Oc
cupying both offices. Governor and Sec
retary, Benson will be two members of
the board of trustees of the Institutions
interested. ' He will be in a position to
declare whether the $350,000 appropriations
are so urgently needed as to justify the
calling of a special session.
It is altogether likely that when the in
stitutions begin to ask for improvements,
Benson will call the Legislature together.
Delay wljl enable the House officials to
correct . their Journals and determine
whether any other errors have crept Into
the proceedings.
Printing Bill Passes.
It was determined today that Bean's
state printing bill, which was supposed
to be dead, was properly passed. The
last order appearing In the Journal was
cne by Acting Speaker McCue that the
bill He upon the table, but there being
a previous entry showing that the House
had adopted a report recommending that
the House concur in the amendments
mado by the Senate, Attorney-General
Crawford holds that the bill was legally
passed. It has been signed by the presid
ing" officers.
Governor Chamberlain went over It to
day with State Printing Expert Albert
Tozier and was informed by Tozier that
the new schedule of rates prescribed will
effect a material saving to the state.
(Concluded on Page 5.)
MAYBE IT
SAFE-ROBBERS ARE
CAPTURED IN ACT
ATTEMPT TO ROB M'CREDIE'S
BILLIARD HALL FOILED.
Sergeant Baty and Detectives Hell
yer and Maloney 'Watch and
"ab Thieves.
An attempt to rob the safe of Mc
Credle's poolroom. Sixth and Alder
streets, was frustrated early this morn
ing by Detectives Hellyer and Maloney
and Sergeant Baty. The men concerned
In the Job, who gave their names as Sul
livan and Russell, were caught In the
act by Detective Hellyer, who was hid
den in the poolroom, watching the whole
operation.
Walter McCredie, through, a friend
who also knew the thugs, got wind of
the plan and told the police. Hellyer
hid Inside and Sergeant Baty and De
tective Maloney took a room in the
Marquam from where they could watch.
Sullivan was to do the inside work, for
he was supposed to know the combina
tion of the safe. Russell was to signal
him from outside when the coast was
clear. The officers knew all this and it
was an easy matter for them to step in
at the right time. The combination
failed to' work, however, and . after
watching his man work with it for 10
minutes, Hellyer stepped up to him and
placed him under arrest. At the same
time Russell was taken and the pair
was taken to the station.
CZAR DISSOLVES DIET
New Encroachments Made I'pon
Liberty of Finland.
ST. PETERSBURG. Feb. 22. Emper
or Nicholas today issued a rescript dis
solving the Finnish Diet and ordering
the holding of a new election May 1,
for the new Diet to assemble June 3.
This step is due to the criticism of
the Emperor's policy In President Svin
hufvud's response to the speech from
the throne at the opening of February
16. V
The establishment of a Joint Finnish
Russian conference to elaborate a new
basis of relations between the Grand
Duchy and the Empire has been prac
tically decided upon.
The Finnish Senate has requested
Russia to demand the extradition of a
Finn named. Mustonon, who went to
America two years ago and who is to
day "editing a Finnish newspaper at
Port Arthur, Canada,
ARMY OFFICER IS SUICIDE
Lieutenant Moller, Eighth Infantry,
Shoots Self in New York.
NEW YORK, Feb. 22. Second Lieuten
ant John J. Moller, Eighth United
States Infantry, stationed at Monterey,
Cal,, who was on furlough 1n the East,
shot himself in the right temple at the
Grand Union Hotel tonight and died In
the prison ward of Bellevue Hospital an
hour later.
He left a letter addressed to Chaplain
Smith, of the Army post on Governor's
Island, directing the disposal of his ef
fects and asking that his mother be no
tified of his death. Chaplain Smith iden
tified Moller from a telegraphed de
scription and said that the officer be
longed to a wealthy family in Louis
ville, Mo. Lieutenant Moller left no
note explaining why he killed himself,
and Chaplain Smith could assign no
cause.
BANK'S ASSETS INCREASED
Defunct La Grande Institution Finds
Itself $18,000 Richer.
LA GRANDE. Or.. Feb. 22. (Special.)
Unless the unforeseen occurs, tomorrow
morning will find the assets of the de
funct Farmers & . Traders' National
richer by $18,000. Walter M. Pierce,
president of the light company, has a
check of approximately $SO00 ready to
turn over to the receivership and Henry
Striker is expected to produce $10,000 to
morrow morning.
Ex-Cashier Scriber arrived last night
to hurry along the settlements started
by Attorney McMahon. In return for
the check from Fierce It Is said that
McMahon is to give Pierce $8000 in Elec
tric Light Company bonds and about
600 shares now in possession of Scriber.
FARMER MURDERS FAMILY
Kills His Children and Cattle, Then
Fires House and Commits Suicide.
MONDOVI, Wis., Feb. 22 Hans B.
Hanson, a farmer living near Strun, mur
dered his four children, a boy and three
girls, whose ages range from B to 15
years, early today. He Is supposed tp
have used a butcher-knife, cutting their
throats. He followed this quadruple
crime by stabbing several horses and
cows, fired the barn and house, and then
cut his own throat. The bodies of the
children were cremated. Hanson was 50
years of age and a widower. He was
once an inmate of an asylum.
BLIZZARD HITS WYOMING
Heavy Drifts Block Trains Fears
Entertained for Safety of Stock.
CHEYENNE, Wyo., Feb. 22. A gen
eral blizzard is raging over Wyoming
and Western Nebraska tonight. The
snow is from 10 to 12 Inches deep and
Is drifting badly. It Is feared that the
storm will cause heavy loss to stock
on the open range. Trains have been de
layed, but' the snowplows are in opera
tion and traffic is still open.
j
COOPER STICKS TO
STORY OF CHIME
State Fails to Make
Him Vary Details.
EXHIBITS WOUNDED SHOULDER
John Sharpe Corroborates in
Detail Other's Story.
BUT IS SHAKEN BY STATE
Attorney-General Falls to Get Satis
factory Explanation of Wound
in Back of Senator Car
mack's Neck.
NASHVILLE. Tenn.. Feb. 22. In tha
trial for the murder of Senator Carmack.
the state today directed its heavy guns
at young Robin Cooper during Us cross
examination, in an effort to shake the
testimony that he gave on direct exami
nation.. Throughotit the trying ordeal
the man who swears he shot Carmack in
self-defense stuck to his former story,
and the Attorney-General was unable to
make him divert in the slightest degree
from his former testimony. During the
cross-examination the young man bared
his shoulder and showed the Jury tha
scar of the wound he sustained in the
shooting.
The courtroom was packed to the doors,
the fact that the day was generally ob
served as a holiday by the business
houses giving many people a .chance to
attend the trial. Many of the spectators
brought their lunch and sat through the
noon recess in order, to hold their seats.
Before the cross-examination was taken
up by the state. Judge Anderson asked
young Cooper if he was acquainted with
Senator Carmack.
"Yes. sir; I knew him and he krfew
me."
"That's all."
The witness settled back In his chair
and turned toward the Attorney-General.
"You have read your testimony slnca
Saturday?" was the first question asked.
"Yes, sir."
"And discussed it with counsel?"
"No, not the testimony. Counsel asked
me some questions."
"When were you Introduced to Senator
Carmack?"
"I do not remember whether I ever
was Introduced to him. I have known
him all my life. Just before the shoot
ing he was frequently in my uncle's of
fice on business connected with the cam
paign. I spoke to him severa'. times just
before the shooting."
Talks of Tragedy.
Attorney-General McCaru. then switched
to the day of the tragedy.
(Concluded on Page 2 )
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 45
decrees ; minimum, ;(S decrees.
TODAY'S Occasional rain; southeasterly
winds.
Foreign.
Czar dissolves Diet of Finland and will
change relations with Russia. Pago 1.
Mrs James Hamilton Lewis robbed of jew
els on ocean steamer. Page 1.
National.
Roosevelt and other distinguished men Riven,
degrees at George Washington Lnlver
slty. Page -'.
Fleet arrives at Hampton Itoada and Is re
ceived by president and Congress.
Page 1.
Bourne shows Young to Senate committee,
and action will be taken today. Page i.
Substitute postal savings bank bill causes
warm debate in Senate. I'age X
roiiti.-s.
Taft speaks at Philadelphia on professions
In politics. Page 0.
Dickinson says he is still a Democrat.
Page 1.
New anti-Jap resolutions in California Leg
islature. Page w.
Governor of New Jersey denounces state
Infringement on treaty rights. Page 1.
lomeatlc.
New pastor nl Grace M. K. Church Is live
liest minister ot Wichita. Page It.
Nilsach offers no defense in Pittsburg graft
case. Page :l.
Kohin Cooper and Sharps testify at Car
mack murder case. Pago 1.
Systematic forger's plant found at Gold
field, Nev. page 5.
Omaha Greeks appeHl to Minister, but will
be barred from packing houses. Page 4.
Catholic priest at Denver jnarrles telephone
girl. Page 4.
Admiral Goodrich predicts battleships of
O.UiW to 40.000 tons, page 4.
Sport.
Monte Attell wins fight with Reagan.
Page 7.
Summers wins light with Jimmy Brltt in
London on points. Page 7.
De Palma wins two main events in New
Orleans auto races. Pago 7.
Walter McCredie. explains position regard
ing Henderson, outlaw. Page 7.
Paolno Northwest.
ureinbers of Oregon legislature refuse to re
turn without pay, and thot-e will be no
special session. Page 1.
Features of some new laws passed by the
Oregon Legislature. Page tl.
Washington Legislature asked to appropri
ate J7.000.000. Page 6.
Commercial and Marine.
Lumber exports unusually large for month.
Page 15.
Portland and Vicinity.
E. R. Woodard. superintendent of Mult
nomah Club, shoots himself fatally. Page
10.
Epworth League plans to shower visiting
J-Tpworthlans with Oregon fruit and
flowers. Page 10.
Henrv HewrUt, Tacoma millionaire, buys
control ot Economy and St. John Gas
Companies. Pare 14.
Attorney Logan waxes sarcastic about Coun
cil. Page IS.
Masons or East S'de lodges Join with Eastern
ritar in celebration of day. Page 4.
"Rose-Planting Day" observed at Forestry
building. Page in.
Elks present "A Night in Bohemia" to
large audiences at llelllg. Page 10.
Charges made against "Moral Squad's" bru
tality iu raid denied by officers. Page 14.