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About The morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1899-1930 | View Entire Issue (March 9, 1909)
ft 1 '0 PUBLISHES FULL ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT COVERS THE MORNINO FIELD ON THE LOWES CV .JMBIA 86th YEAR. NO. 59. ASTORIA, OREGON, TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1909' PRICE FIVE CENTS DOUBLE ill! n PORTLAND Details of Terrible and Myster ious Affair Discovered on Columbia Slough OLD AGEANO YOUTH INVOLVED Shotgun and Am Figurt th Wcipont Responsibly For the Dtr Tragedy Thi Moit Mysterious Affair In Annals of That City. PORTLAND, March 8--A mytter loui tragedy was revealed today when Mrs. Oscar T. Hictt, during the course of a search for her young buiband, who had been absent from home all niitht, vUiied the shooting preserve on Columbia Slough, and there discovered the dead bodies of her hunband and of an old man named John Dale. A bullet from a shotgun had shat tered the side of Uiett's head and one deep wound from an axe, disclosed the cmie of Dale's death. Both men were tying on the ground near an old cabin, and between them lay the axe and shotgun, the weapons used in the alatitihter. Whether the old man shot the younger, and was himself then beat en with the axe, by 1 1 sett, until the latter dropped dead from loss of blood; or whether a third man was the murderer, may never be known. The former theory is held by the police. f The old man and young Hictt, who hardly had entered upon his 20th year, had been great companions for a long time, until recently when the younger took to himself a wife; after that the old man apparently became jealous of the boy's wife, and they quarreled frequently. It Is alleged that Dale offered the young man many inducements to leave the young woman, and had told Hictt, that if anything happened to hint, that certain money, which he had buried on the shooting preserve, would go to him when he died. Re cently he is reported to have said to Mrs. Hictt, that he would do some thing that she would be sorry for. Yesterday the two men visited the preserve for the ostensible purpose of removing their possessions from the place where they had been employed. What happened after they left the 1 licit home is not known, but it is surmised by the police that they quar TWO! CENT RAILWAY PASSENGER FARE McPherson Decision Creates Confusion Galore in Old TOPEKA, Kan, March 8. The I 'Senate committee on railroads sub mitted, today, an adverse repont on the two-cent fare bill which had al ready passed the house. This came immediately upon the receipt of the news of the decision of Judge Mc Pherson in holding the Missouri two cent fare law unconstitutional. Governor Stubbs in his interview said: "My opinion is that the legis lature of this State should enact the two-cent fare rate; the law Is not changed by the decision, in Missouri, because I do1 not believe the State of Missouri had any evidence that the rate in that State was not remunera tive, or was confiscatory, excepting the evidence the railroads themselves furnished.' Kansas now has a two-cent fare rate, under an agreement between the railroads and the State, pending the .decision in the Missouri case. reled and that the old man shot the young man, who used the axe in self defense. The shotgun with which young I licit was killed belonged to the own er of the preserve. : Some weight is lent to the possi bility that a third man committed the murder, by reason of the fact that two shotguns belonging to members of the shooting club, are missing. It in known that, almost to I certainty, Dale had buried money on the land and It may be that a third man want ed to get possession of the treasure, and committed the murder for that purpose. The police searched all over the place for evidence of the possibility that the money had been dug up, but darkeuess fell before the search of I the premises was completed. The tragedy is one of the most mystrious in the annals of the city. APPEAL, OF COURSE. T SEATTLE, March 8.-Jame P. Holt was sentenced for life today for the murder of Henry E. Johnson, at Fort VVorden Military Reservation, last year. He will appeal. P DECLINE Oil 1 CHICAGO MARKET RESERVES LARGER THAN FORECASTED MAY WHEAT RECEDES STEADILY. CHICAGO, March a-Sevrre de cline in the price of wheat, corn and oais, occurred on the board of trade as the result cf the publication of t government report showing the amount ot the various grains still in farmers' hands, March 1, the reserves being larger than forecasted. May wheat roke 31 1-4 from the high point of day dropping to 113 1-2. The re port was made about IS minutes be fore the close and in one minute May dropped from 115 3-4 to 113 1-2. At the same time July dropped more than one cent to 102 3-8. The market opened firm owing to higher cables, but broke sharply the first few min utes because of liberal sales by lead leading holders. May opened 11 63-4 and closed 114 3-8. COWARDLY SWEETHEART. ' BALTIMORE, March a-Jennie Reed, 21 years old, was murdered to night by a highwayman at Mount Washington. She was talking to Mueller, her sweetheart, when they were held up. Mueller surrendered to the thiei a valuable necklace and the girl then slapped the face of the highwayman. The murderer escaped. Missouri KANSAS CITY, March 8.-Mis-souri's two-cnt passenger and maxi mum freight laws were nullified by the United States district court, by Judge Smith McPherson. As a re sult, it is believed there will be quick return in Missouri to the three-cent fare. Frank Hagerman, counsel for the 18 companies involved, declares that the court's ruling sounds a death kncl on the two-cent rate in every State in the Union. Judge McPher son held that both commodity arid passenger laws were confiscatory and unconstitutional. The state, on the other hand, declared emphatically, that Missouri's fight for lower rates would continue; an appeal will be taken and the present legislature will be asked to pass a new rate law that would stand the tests of1 the courts. Governor Hadley made a similar statement at Jefferson City. ST. LOUIS, March 8.Whethcr BELIEVED Expert GlveS Demonstration Of; Principle In New York City of the Monorail GYROSCOPEGENUINESUCCESS Dr. Chetain Declare! the Brenrun! Car Hat Great Commercial Posai- j bilitiet Great Britain Favors It And Backa It i NEW YORK, March &-Dr. Alex ander Chessin, of Washington Uni versity, St. Louis, gave a demonstra tion of the principle of the Brennan Monorail car in the physical la boratory at Columbia Univer-. sity yesterday. The model car has all the essential features of the large car, to perfect which the British govern ment has appropriated $500,000. The two oposed gyroscopes, which give the car its remarkable powers of bal ance, are four inches in diameter, and are made of solid steel. While the gyroscope revolved after" having been set in motion at an in' itial speed of 3000 revolutions per minute, Dr. Chcsin placed the car on a copper cable stretched across the room, and although the center of gravity was three inches above the point of contact, the car maintained its balance perfectly. It successfully balanced more thao 10 pounds, and did not tip until almost two-thirds of the entire car's weight was attached to one side. It is Dr. Chcssin's opinion that the Brennan car has great commercial possibilities, and he suggests that a test be made on the New York Sub- way. COUNT OkllA WRITES OF I. TAFT UNRESERVEDLY PRAISES THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS INAU GURAL ADDRESS. TOKIO, March 8 Count Okuma, ! former president of the progressive party has written a signed article for j the Tokio Mainchi, in which he un-: reservedly praises President Taft for , his policy as embodied in his inaugu-I ral address. In regard to that portion I of the address dealing with the trea-1 ty rights of Aliens, Okuma says that j it would be a matter for universal re-1 joicing should the delicate relations between the Federal and the State Constitutions be adjusted in a man ner thoroughly compatible with na-. tlonal credit and honor, and the standi ing of the United States as a highly civilized power. In respect to the na val programme as laid down in the inaugural speech the Count professes to fully concur. He writes that the President believes that such an out come is an unavoidable demand of the times and ridicules the idea that it is directed against Japan. He as serts that this idea is a gross misrep resentation of both Japan and the United tSates which believe equally that a strong navy is the best guar- anter of peace. Regarding immigration the count cannot entertain the idea of restric- the old rates will-be restored by the railroads in Missouri as the result of Judge McPherson's decision in the United States district court today at Kansas City is not definitely decided, according to railroad officials with headquarters in St. Louis. It is the impression of Assistant Passenger Agent Fenwick, of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, that the old rates will ultimately be restored in event that Judge McPherson's decision stands. tion as a principle, but he is unop posed to it as a temporary measure for preventing unnecessary excite ment and irritation when Japan is unfortunately the object of unwar rantable suspicion. "' In conclusion he says: "Japan's real motive was proven on the occasion of the visit of the fleet and it is now understood fullv bv es- itimable Americans. Local anti-Jap-aniam is of small concern and will disappear when they cease to be American sentiment will ultimately prevail under the guidance of a great fair minded statesman of the eminently peaceful disposition of President Taft." DAHO LEGISLATURE A TKinS OF THE PAST SCENES OF UPROAR AND CON j FUSION MARK CLOSE OF I REGULAR SESSION. i '. BOISE, Idaho, March 8.-The , Idaho Legislature adjourned a few minutes before midnight last night, after being in almost continuous ses sion from Saturday morning. Clocks in the House and Senate were stop ped a few minutes before midnight Saturday, and started at the same time Sunday, when adjournment was taken. Brief recesses were taken to permit the Legislators to sleep and eat. During the two days' session 12S bills were passed by the House and Senate. Uproarious scenes occurred In the House yesterday, when at tempts were made to secure recon sideration of bills already defeated. The voices of speakers were drowned by calls of members, and the air was filled with papers and other missiles hurled at members. The members 'then attempted to take the Senate by storm, and, going to the gallery, showered them with printed bills, but Lieutenant-Governor Sweetser had the gallery cleared. The most import J ant work of the Legislature was the .enactment of the direct primary and local option laws. One of the last bills passed was one authorizing the creation of rail jroad districts ,as advocated by the j Oregon-Idaho Development Con ' gress. ROOSEVELT RESTS AT OYSTER BAY HAS A GOOD TIME REVIEWING THINGS SAID ABOUT HIM, HIS LETTERS AND TRAVELS OYSTER BAY, March 8. The at tention of ex-President Roosevelt was called today to the publication of a portion of a letter which he was said to have written to Sir Harry John ston, British author and explorer, last December, in which he is quoted as saying "that the United States ought to have intervened in Hayti during the last revolution there, and also in Venezuela and Central America." Roosecylt, is reply, to questions about the letter, said: "As a general thing, when a private letter has been divulged as this one has been, it is pretty sure the more or less garbled," The ex-President was greatly amus ed at the reported prediction of Prof fessor Starr of the University of Chicago, who declared that if the former President carries out his pro posed itinerary in Africa, he will not come out alive. Roosevelt laughed when he read the statement, and again, when he read that of Professor Okelcy, of the Columbian Museum, declaring that Roosevelt will be as safe in Africa as in the United States. He declared he would leave the controversy to be sought out be tween the professors. LUMBER TARIFFS TO BE GUT This Decision ReachedSub ject to Later Revision-Hides to the Free List it is Said LUMBERMEN FIGHTING IT President Insists Upon Tax on In heritances and This Will Probably b eConceded Tax on Shoe to be Sharply Reduced. WASHINGTON. D. C, March 8--A cut of one-half the duty on lumber and manufactures of lumber is under stood will be one of the changes pro vided by the new tariff bill being printed preparatory to its final revis ion by the Republican members of the House ways and means commit-' ted. Another change, according to information from reliable source, is that hides will be placed on the free list. There has been much conten tion over the duties on thes two ar ticles. During the bearings on the lumber schedules the testimony was such as to cause the impression that lumber would be put on the free list. It was said the forests of the country could only be conserved by admitting lumber free of duty. Rep resentative Fordney, of Michigan, a member of the committee, has cham pioned the cause of the lumbermen and the latter have been working ncrgetically to prevent the reduction. , They contending the rates should be increased in order that American in dustry may complete with the cheap er labor of Canada and because of the better facilities for transportation ftorded by the proximity of Cana dian lumber camps to waterways. It is understood the Democratic policy will be to criticize the Republican bill and offer amendments to it. They will favor a tariff for revenue, rather than the free trade policy. ' , The problem of providing funds with which to carry on the projects under way to maintain the plans of the Taft administration, and to make demands saquare with the hew tariff schedule, is the work . with which Taft, Aldrich, Cannon and MavVeagh were engaged at the two hours' con ference at the White House today. The necessity for the enactment of the taiiff bill at the earliest possible moment was discussed, but whether a definite policy was outlined, could not be stated. That manufacturers and other large interests are demanding early unff legislation and that busi ness will be unsettled until tariff schedules are finally fixed principal are the reason for permitting nothing to interfere with prompt action at the special session of Congress. It is learned on unquestionable author ity that duty on shoes will be consid erably reduced. It is said by the same authority that substantial reductions in the dut on steel rails, tools and similar products are provided for. The duty of four cents a pound on coffee will be levied. Whisky and beer remains as at present. It having become manifest' to the committee that costums duty under the new bill, would not produce the revenue ex pected, ii turned to the expedient of reviving the war revenue act of 1898, which placed tax on telegrams, bank checks, playing cards and all stocks bought or sold. That feature of the war revenue act will be incorporated in the tariff measure, as it will be drafted, it is said. The matter most perplexing to the commHce is that of placing a tax on inheritances. Taft wants it, it is declared, snd is pressing the commit tee take action along that line. It is predicted the committee will to the President's wishes. ARKANSAS TORNADO. LITLLE ROCK, Ark, March 8 A number of persons are reported killed and injured and an immense amount of property destroyed by the tornado which swept Arkansas late tonight. The entire town of Brinkley was destroyed, it is reported, and eikht killed and others hurt. Fire followed the tornado and latest ad vices show the destruction of the town to be complete. Communication with many places cut off. ONLY FIFTY MILLIONS. NEW YORK, March 8.-Plans for the extension of a rapid transit sys tem in this city which will cost 50 millions, are being prepared by en gineers for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company. PRESENTED IN COURT. WASHINGTON, D. C, March 8.- Attorney-Gencral Wickershaf was to day formally presented to the su preme court of the United States by Solicitor-rGeneral Hoyt. The cere- money was simple. THANKS, ALPHONSE! LONDON, March 8--The British delegates to the International Tuber culosis Congress held in Washing ton last fall, issued a report today in which they pay high tribute to the American preventative methods in this field. SPOXAIE TALKS OF E1TERI1S0IT FOR REBATES AGGREGATING $250,000 ON ACCOUNT OF IL LEGAL R R. RATES. SPOKANE, March 8. -Twenty- seven members of the Industrial Workers of the World, each of whom broke police rules yesterday, by mak ing speeches in the streets, were giv en the limit and were sentenced to pay $100 and costs and 30 days on the rockpile by Judge Mann today. Five of the 27 can speak English. Not one had a cent in his pocket when arrested. Six orators were arrested yesterday and refused to work on the rockpile and are on the bread and water diet. Organfzer Walsfi, the leader of the I. W. W., was the only one able to furnish bail. Plans are being considered here for a huge suit by the Spokane jobbers to secure rebates on freight charges which it is thought may aggregate $230,000, the claim being based on the recent ruling of the Interstate Com merce Commission ; declaring the freight rates of this city as unreason able and ordering reductions- The theory is advanced that rebates may be demanded on excess charges paid since suit was filed two years ago. ; IMPASSIONED PLEA FOR EXACT JUSTICE Fitzhugh Opens for the State in the Famous Cooper-Carmack Case NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 8. Capt. Fitzhugh completed the open ing arguments for the State, this af ternoon in the case against Col. Dun can B. Cooper,' Robin J. Cooper and John D. Sharpe, charged with the murder of former U. S- Senator E. W. Carmack. Fitzhugh spoke more than five hours. He was a close friend of Senator Carmack, and is in the case at the special request of Mrs. Carmack. He said, among other things: "There will be many arguments made to you, things to touch your hearts; you will be asked to be generous and sympathetic; they will talk to you of this boy; why, gentlemen, he is 25 ears of age, and some of the greatest achievements of men have been ac complished before a man is 30; and they will point to Colonel Cooper as a gentlemen after old school ,as a LIE TO PAY Re-Conveys Coal Lands to tha Government and Pays for . 1 Trespass Damages ALL BESIDE 0SICINAL COST New Treasurer, Frank McVeagh, Takes That Important Post Cor telyou Gets a Superb Loving Cup From Officers. WASHINGTON, D. C, March 8- A settlement has been affected by the Secretary of the Interior in the government suit against the Union Pacific involving coal lands in Wyoming, valued at a million and a half. The land is said to have been acquired by the company through "dummy entries." The land involved aggregated 4360 acres. After numer ous conferences the company decided not to defend the suit but re-conveyed the lands to the Government and also paid nearly $33,000 for the coal mines thereon. The company has discon tinued mining for the land, which has been withdrawn from entry until June I, next Besides re-conveying the land and paying the trespasser damages the company loses the $91,200 paid for the lands. . This is one case included in former Secretary Garfield's letter to Congress, showing lands worth over $100,000,000 under investigation, or in litigation. Frank McVeagh took the chair of office this afternoon and entered upon the duties as Secretary of the Treas ury at the conclusion of the cere mony. Retiring Secretary Cortelyou was presented on behalf of the offic ials of -the department with a large silver loving cup of classic design. Cortelyou, late in the present month in New York, became president of the Consolidated Gas Company of that city. DONE ON TIE. OLYMPIA, March 8.-A resolu tion calling for an investigation of ,the state insurance commissioner was defeated in the Senate today, altho accompanied by specific charges that Secretary of State Nichols and Dep uty Insurance Commissioner Schively had made a practice in the last four years of collecting money from in surance companies for examinations and not turning the moneys thus col lected over to the State. The resolu tion was lost on a tie vote. last flower of the old Southern chivalry. "Do you believe it? Was he a een- tleman when he used that awful lan guage in the presence of Miss Lee?; and then they talk to you of sympa thy; just look over there, and vou will see in sable garments, the widow of E. W. Carmack; you will see on her arm, the ten-year-old boy. the pride of E. W. Carrnack's life! Did Duncan Cooper, or Robin, think of this widow or of this boy, when they shot down the husband and the father?. "The question to be decided is whether the law is to be enforced; if murder is to be committed in the. streets of our cities, without feat of punishment, can you tell who will be the next victim? The very liberty of the press is at stake, the security of the common people!"