The Estacada News
E STAC AD A
OREGON
NEWS OFTHE WEEK
I b i Condensed Form lor Onr
Busy Readers.
A R tiu m i of tho Las* Important but
Not Lasa Interesting Evants
of tha Past Waak.
Wltta w ill soon resign as premier of
Bossia.
Bhonts may succeed Talt as secretary
of war.
A split among coal operators at the
wage conference is expected.
President Mellen, of the Northern
Pacific, denounces the rate bill.
Many Germans are eating dogs and
eats because other meat is too dear.
The Standard Oil has confessed own
ership of many supposedly independent
concerns.
Ambassador Storer was removed from
his post because his wife involved him
in Catholic church politics.
The War department says it can state
authoritatively that Bhonta w ill not
resign as chairman of the Isthmian
Canal commission.
William Rockefeller, who, next to
his brother, John D., is the rich
man in the United States, is suffering
from cancer of the stomach and there
Tie no hope of his recovery.
General Wood has cabled the War
department that the stories of the Moro
battle were manufactured in Manila by
yellow journalists.
Only newspaper
reports tell of the k illing of women
and children
J. Pierpont Morgan is in dsadly ft
of assassins.
Grover Cleveland has just celebrated
his 69th birthday.
Coal miners are working hard to pre
vent a general strike April 1.
Nebraska thermometers are register
ing from 5 to 10 degrees below sero.
John D. Rockefeller maintains
armed guard at his house in New Jersey.
C U T A W A Y TH E RED TA P E .
W IL L Q U IT C A N A L.
Purpose o f Bill Regulating National
Reclamation Work.
Shoots Will Give Entire Attention to
His Railroad.
Washington, March 20.— In it* gen
eral operation, the National reclame
tion law has proven quit* as effective as
Its framers expected; indeed, the gen
eral work of national irrigation is pro
gressing satisfactorily. In tbe admin'
istration of the Reclamation service
however, there ha* been some slight
friction which has resulted in delays
that have been bothersome, if nothing
more.
No one can realise this more than
the chief of the Reclamation service,
Mr. Newell, and the director of the
Geological survey. Mr. Walcott.
To
obviate these delays, the reclamation
authorities have explained the situs
tion to tbe president and he baa ap
proved their recommendations and at
the joint request of these officials a bill
has been introduced in congress which
will, if enacted, prove of very material
benefit to tbe Reclamation service.
Most of the friction and delay com
plained of is the result of red tape that
exists between the Reclamation office
and the Interior department proper
Their dealings are not direct, and in
the roundabout course they follow
many delays are likely to occur. The
bill that bas been laid before the house
by Representative Cooper does away
with this red tape by providing a more
direct means of communication, at the
same time giving the Reclamation ser-
vice more leeway.
The director of the
geological survey is made the director
of the Reclamation service and he goes
ahead with his plana, merely submit
ting them to the secretary for approval
and not for reveiw.
Another important change is made
by the bill in the matter of apportion
ing and expending money for reclama
tion works. A t present this money is
entirely under the control of the secre
tary.
A t this time there is a very
strong sentiment in congress against
allowing cabinet officers to handle such
funds in a free manner, and the ten
dency is to restrict lump appropriations
and stipulate the various purposes for
which the money is to be need. The
Cooper bill permits the Reclamation
service to send to congress each year
statement of the expenditures which it
proposes to make during the following
12 months, so that congress shall spe
cifically authorise the various expend!
tures. Thus, while the Reclamation
service will retain the right to say how
tbe funds shall be apportioned, their
findings are always subject to tbe ap
proval of congress.
Notwithstanding this bill is approved
in its entirity by Presidnet Roosevelt
and bv the house leaders. Represents
tive Mondell, of Wyoming, chairman
of the irrigation committee, says it is
faulty and has asked permission to
make certain amendment*.
Chicago, March 19.— A Washington
special says:
Information from trustworthy sources
makes it seem practically assured that
Theodore Perry Bhonta, of Chicago,
chairman of tbe Isthmian Canal com
mission, intends soon to send his resig
nation to President Roosevelt.
It is
unquestionably the intention of Presi
dent Roosevelt to nominate John F
Stevens, tbe chief engineer, to succeed
Mr. Bhonts. Mr. Stevens will combine
the duties of the two offices.
Pressure from his associates on the
railroad with which Mr. Bhonts is con
nected has been strong for some time to
bring about this result— his return to
railroad work and his resignation from
the canal board.
Mr. Bhonta had
withstood the pleas of hie business i
sociates, but recent events have induced
him to consent.
Mr. Bhonta is still president of the
Clover Leaf railroad, and it is said that
the interests of that road, in the mind
of his colleagues, demand that he
return and take active charge of the
property. It is said he owns securi
ties in the road to tbe value of about
$3,000,000, and, in the interest of
these holdings, as well aa tbe holdings
of others, it is declared that be feels he
must no longer divide time and his
labor.
There has been no secret that the re
lations between Secretary Taft and
Chairman Bhonts have been strained at
times. They are probably today not of
the most amicable nature. It is prob
able that Mr. Taft w ill succeed to the
vacancy in the United States Supreme
court caused by the resignation of Jus
tice Browm but w ill not take his seat
before next October. Mr. Taft has bis
own views about the canal work, which
are not in accord with those of Mr.
Bhonts.
When Mr. Taft goes to tbe Supreme
court, it is tbe intention of President
Roosevelt to turn the supervision of
the canal over to Secretiry Root’ s de
partment.
The secretary of war de
sires to arrange the construction plans
to suit his own judgment before the
transfer is made.
C O M P L A IN OF G RAZIN G RULE.
C REATED A T LA S T .
Oregon 8 tockm*n's Grievances Are President Sets Aside Blue Mountains
for Timber Purposes.
Taken Up by 8 *nator Fulton.
Washington— Senator Fulton ha* re
ceived many letter* of complaint from
stockmen of Oregon, who express dis
satisfaction with the manner in which
tbe forest service is managing the sum
mer range in forest' reserves.
Tbe
sheepmen of Umatilla county feel that
they have been unfairly treated in the
distribution of range in the Wenaha re
serve, and tbe sheep and cattlemen
whose stock is permitted to graxe in
the Cascade reserve feel that they are
paying too much for the privilege.
So
far as tbe Cascade reserve is concerned,
the sheepmen object to paying 6 cents
a bead for tbe grazing privilege when
sheep are permitted in other reserves
at 4 and 6 cents each.
The forest service explains that the
grazing season in the Cascade reserve
is longer than in the reserves where the
fee is smaller.
So far as the Wenaba
reserve is concerned, the range bas
been apportioned for the coming M
son, and it is too late to bring about a
readjustment.
To ascertain all the
facts, with the view to laying tbe mat
ter before the forest service in its true
light, Mr. Fulton has requested the
stockmen of Oregon to furnish him with
accurate data, that he may adjust these
matters before another grazing season
opens.
The Dalles to Portage.
The Dalles— A company of local cap
italists, under tbe name of tbe Colum
bia Transportation
company,
has
bought tbe steamer George W. Simons
from tbe D.. P. & B. N. Co. It w ill be
operated between Cascade Locks and
the lower terminus of tbe state portage
road. The boat will leave ^Cascade
Locks at 6 o’clock in the morning and
reach Tbe Dalles at 10, making all way
landings.
It w ill lie here an hour,
then run to the lower terminus of tbe
portage, and returning will leave for
Cascade Locke at 2 o’ clock. It is tbe
purpose of tbe company in buying and
operating the boat to afford people
along the Columbia opportunity to
make The Dalles their trading point.
Many Buy Wallowa Timber.
Wallowa— Locators have been doing
The house and senate are likely to
much business tbe past three months
on account of a wild rush by local men
disagree on the type of canal to be
built.
and outsiders to secure claims in the
pine, fir and tamarack forests of Wal
General Wood defends the action of
lowa county.
Sections which sold at
the American troops at Mount Dajo,
$1.26 an acre were bought first, and
Philippine islands.
only those claims remain which are in
Secretarfyy of the Navy Bonaparte
the $2.60 sections.
There are but a
insists that the United States should
few more claims open for location, and
build a greater navy.
it is expected tbe locating season will
G R E AT TRADE W IT H EUROPE.
be closed within 30 days.
Capitalists
Customs authorities have decided
are buying much of this timber, and
that Chinese joeshouse fittings are sub
Our Exports Passed the Billlon-Dollar from individual holders claims pur
ject to a duty of 16 per cent.
chased for less than $600 are selling at
Mark In 1906.
Snow slides in Colorado have caused
from $1,000 to $1,600 each.
These
Washington, March 20. — Europe
a number of deaths and a property loss
carry lrom 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 feet
that w ill reach close to a m illion dot takes two-thirds of the exports of the to the quarter section.
United States and supplies practically
lata.
one-half of the imports, says a bulletin
Latst returns from the Colorado train Issued by the Department of Com
Enterprise Still Capital.
wreck give the number of killed as 22 merce and Labor. Of tbe $1,021,000,-
Wallowa— The Wallowa county com
Telegraph operators are blamed for the 000 worth of merchandise sent to Eu missioners, at their last meeting, ac
accident.
rope in 1906, $239,000,000 was manu cepted the offer of F. D. McCully, L.
New York proposes to establish a factures, tbe other $782,000,000 worth Knapper and Aaron Wade, to build a
being largely foodstuffs and manufac wooden structure in Enterprise large
municipal seasids resort.
enough to meet the county’ s require
turers’ material.
Ths president w ill not appoint a i
In 1900 the exports to Europe ments for a courthouse, and to lease
preme judge for six months.
crossed the $1,000,000,000 line, and the same to the county for five years
Susan B. Anthony’ s sister w ill stump since then have averaged about $1,050,- at an annual rental of $660. The
Oregon in the suffrage campaign.
000,000 per annum. In 1900 the ex building is to be completed by August
1. I t w ill be of wood, but compara
The Japanese parliament has voted porta to all sections ol the world other
than Europe were $364,000,000 in tively safe, as it w ill bis equipped with
to buy all railroads in that country.
fireproof vault.
Tbe board thus
value; in 1906 they were $498,000,
The house w ill take up the amended 000, the growth since 1900 in epxorts settled further controversy for five
statehood b ill Wednesday, March 21.
to the non-European countries having years regarding the permanent loca
Official figures show the population been proportionately greater than to tion of the county seat.
of Germany to be 60,606,183, against Europe.
Fight for a County Seat.
60,367,178 in 1900.
Prior to 1890, the share of the im
Canyon City— The fight for the coun
The Ohio legislature is considering ports drawn from Europe averaged
a b ill which w ill give the courts power about 66 per cent; in 1906, it wta 48.4 ty seat now being waged between Can
to punish witnesses who refuse to talk. per cent. This reduction, the bulletin yon City, the present capital, and
says, is apparently accounted for by Prairie City, long aspirant for the
King Charles, of Roumania, is nsar
the growing demand in the United honor, is waxing red hot.
The laws
death. The crown prince is unpopular
States for tropical and subtropical pro of Oregon provide that a vote must be
and a movement ha* been started to
ducts, which are supplied almost ex ordered by the county court if a peti
crown bis 13-year old son.
clusively by tbe other grand divisions tion, signed by not less than three
The District of Columbia court has of the world. The value of these pro fifths of the registered voters, is pre
overruled Binger Hermann’s demurrer ducts into the United States in 1906 sented. Tbe promoters of the removal
to Indictments for destroying public was $608,000,000, against $303,000,- have organized an improvement asso
records. He w ill ask for an appeal to 000 in 1896.
ciation, and among other things have
the Circuit Court of Appeal*.
secured subscriptions amounting to-
Wsstern railroads are facing a labor
$20,000 for a new courthouse.
Crushed With Iron Hand.
famins. Twentv-flve thousand men are
Sukhum, Transcaucasia, March 20.
needed in the Northwestern and South — The manner in which General A 1 i-
May Divide Grant County.
western states to build the roads that kanhoff has crushed the revolution in
John Day— Petitions are now being
are air ady under way, and it is esti the government of Kutais by rasing circulated calling - for a division of
mated that before June twioe that towns, executing ringleaders of the Grant county. It is reported to be
number w ill be needed.
%
movement and driving sympathisers gaining general support, and if the
Denmark may put a tariff law into with it to the mountains, has produced terms of division are considered as fair
snch resentment that arts of terror and by the remainder of the county, there
effect.
the throwing of bombs at the troops
ill be little, if any,
opposition.
Russia suspects Japan of hostile de are frequent.
General Alikanhoff has Should the people generally favor the
signs in Siberia.
proclaimed and is enforcing martial movement, Senator Laycock w ill almost
A ll railrc-8« throosb Colorado are law with terrible vigor and revolution certainly try to secure favorable action
aries and other pesrons caught with by the next legislature.
If tbe plans
blocked by snow.
arms are immediately shot.
carry, lo n g Creek w ill probably be
Senator Depew is too ill to attend to
tbe new county seat. A name has not
his duties in the senate.
been selected yet.
Storer to Retire at Once.
Washington, March 20.— Other than
The first sevsrs bllsxard of the win
Hopgrowers Elect Officers.
admitting that Bellamy Storer, the
ter has just swept New York.
Salem — About 76 hopgrowers have
American ambassador to Austria-Hun
The csar has ordered extreme
gary is to retire immediately from hi* become members of the Oregon Hop-
nrea to be taken to protect Jews from post, Secretary Root declined to make growers’ association, recently organized
massacre.
any statement regarding the change in in this city, and permanent organisa
tion has been effected by tbe election of
The house w ill reject the senate office. A successor to Mr. Storer will
President, J.
be named by the president today. The the following officers:
amendmneta to the statehood b ill.
secretary refused to say who the new K. Sears, McCoy; vice president, H.
Secretary Taft has consulted with
ambassador w ill be. I t is known that C. Fletcher, Salem; secretary, J. R.
three of hla brothers regarding the
directors, J. T .
there has been some friction with the Coleman, Salem;
place on the supreme bench.
administration which neither Mr. Root Wood, Salem; Louis Ames, Silverton;
A Chicago man ha* aaked a divorce nor others in a position to know will C. W. Beckett, Salem; W. H . Egan,
from his second wife that she may discuss.
Gervais; Francis Shafer, Salem.
marry bis son.
The husband is 66,
the wife 22.
Polies Disperse Meeting.
Lane Fruit is Unharmed.
Chicago is now about to oust the
St. Petersburg, March 20. —- Six
Eugene— Dr. H. F. McCormick, Lane
Weetern Union and Postal Telegraph thousand persons participated today In county fruit inspector, say* it is his
companies or make them pay a good the initial meeting of the League of opinion that the freezing weather of the
price for the use of street*.
Education, which was inaugurated hy past few days has done no material
The anthracite coal miner* w ill ar the Constitutional Democrats to dis damzge to the trait in this vicinity.
range another schedule for presentation seminate political instructions among Each thaw has been accompanied by
to the min* operators in the hope It the people. Prominent speakers were cloudy weather. Had the sun shone
stay be accepted and thus prevent a present, and there was no interference warm and bright each morning the
with tbe meeting until M. Novikoff crop would have been ruined.
strike.
made an impassioned speech, in which
Colonel Knight,
Major
General he demanded the abolition of the death
Hop Sale at Woodbum.
Wood’ s chief of statff, has returned peoelty. _________________
Aurora — Ed Herron, the hopbuyer,
from a reconnaissance of of the situa
this week bought the Joe Kenneidy hop
tion la China. Ha reports that there
Past in Eastern Persia.
crop of 72 hale* at Woodburn, paying
la absolutely no danger * ( trouble and
Askabed, Russia, March 20. — News better than 9 cents. The bops were
that tranquility abounds.
received her* from Heistan, in Eastern «hipped direct to Loudon. M. H. G il
A new French cabinet has bean Persia, says that a pest is spreading, bertson, Ulhmaa Bros.’ agent here,
that the populace is becoming panic went to North Yakima a few day* ago
Mia. Dowie denies the
that stricken and that many
to look after several big lota of hop*
fleeing.
m hi
there.
Washington— President Roosevelt, on
recommendation of the forest service,
has signed a proclamation creating the
Blue mountain forest reserve in Eastern
Oregon, to embrace 2,627,270 acres.
The reserve as created follows tbe gen
eral lines of the temporary withdrawal
made three years ago, with tbe excep
tion of 200,000 acres in tbe valley of
the Silvie* river, which has been elim
inated because of tbe agricultural na
tore of the land. Around tbe edge of
the withdrawal Bmall tracts of agricnl-
tura. and school land have been elim
inated and the boundaries are so drawn
as to exclude all land lying along the
border which has passed into private
ownership under any public land laws.
The original Blue mountain with
drawal embraced more than 3,000,000
acres. About 600,000 acres have been
left out, so as to make the reserve a
compact body of forest land.
Long Winter in Wallowa.
Wallowa — Snow covers the entire
Wallowa valley and county, varying in
depth from five inches on the Imnaba
and Grand Ronde river bottoms, to 17
inches on the foothills of the Joseph
mountains.
Stockmen are somewhat
anxious concerning feed. The unusual
long season w ill necessitate using much
more bay than is customary in average
winters. Though this is a bay produc
ing county, and though great crops of
hay were put away last season, and
much old hay was left over, it is ex
pected that there will be no surplus.
Dallas Men Jubilant.
Dallas— Tbe business people and gen
eral public are jubilant in Dallas over
the news that F. W . Leadbetter has
purchased a half interest in the Dallas
A Falls City railroad, together with a
half interest in the Gerlinger timber
tract, said to be the largest owned by
any one person on the east slope of the
Coast range. The tract is the objective
point of tbe Falls City road from Dal
las. Mr. Leadbetter bas, so it is re
ported, also bought a half interest in
the Cone sawmill, Mr. Gerlinger buy
ing a quarter interest in the m ill also.
Great Loss In Malheur County.
Baker City— Sheepmen and stockmen
of Malheur county are offering $80 a
ton for hay, according to report, and
the price is rapidly advancing, as very
little feed could be bought even at this
fabulous price. It is estimated that
the storm which has swept over the
country during the past week w ill re
suit in the loss of at least 25 per cent
of tbe livestock of Malbeur county, as
many sheep and cattle were upon the
range when it struck.
Columbia County Breaks Record.
Salem— Columbia county breaks tbe
record in the matter of payment of
state taxes this year. State Treasurer
Moore received a draft last week for
$6,360, the amount of general state
and school tax, and $265, the amount
due for tbe support of the Agricultural
college, from Columbia county, for the
year 1906. Only half of this amount
was due.
The rest n. ed not have
been paid until December 31.
Lucklamute Mohair Pool.
Independence— The Luckiamute mo
hair pool has been organized at Arlie
and has the following officers:
Presi
dent, A. C. Staats; secretary, Maurice
Fowle; I . M. Simpson, A. C. Staats
and Maurice Fowle were elected a
board of managers. The new associ
ation already has a membership of 35,
representing 3,093 fleeces. I t is prob
able 15 more names are to be added to
the membership soon.
Cattle Bring Higher Price.
Pendleton— Three cars of cattle were
shipped to Seattle from Pendleton a
few days ago, bringing $4.50 per hun
dred pounds.
This is about 1 cent a
pound higher than the last shipment
made.
P O R TL A N D M AR K E TS .
Wheat — Club, 65®67c; bluestem,
66® 67c; Ted, 64@66c; valley, 68c.
Oats— No. 1 white feed, $27.60; gray,
$27 per ton.
Barley — Feed, $23®24 per ton;
brewing, $24®24.60; rolled, $24.50®
25.50.
Buckwheat— $2.25 per cental.
Hay— Eastern Oregon timothy, $13®
14 per ton; valley timothy, $8® 9 ;
clover, $7.50®8; cheat, $6®7; grain
hay, $7®8.
Apples— 11 ® 2.50 per box.
Vegetables — Asparagus, 9®10c per
pound; cabbage, l H O l ^ c per pound;
cauliflower, $2®2.25 per crate; celery,
75®90c per dozen; rhubarb, $1.75®2
per box; sprouts, 8® ® 10c per pound;
turnips, $1®1 25 per sack; carrots,
66®76c per sack; beets, 85c®$l per
sack.
Onions— No. 1, 80c®$l per sack ¿No.
2, nominal.
Potatoes — Fancy graded Burbanks,
60®60c per hundred; ordinary, nomi
nal; sweet potatoes, 2> i® 2) {c per
pound.
Butter— Fancy creamery, 27 X ® 3 0 c
per pound.
Eggs— Oregon ranch, 16®16>^c per
doseu
Poultry — Average old bens, 13®14c
per pound; mixed chickens, 1 2 j*® l3 c ;
broilers, 20® 22c; young roosters, 12
® l $ X c ; old roosters, 10 ® 10>*c;
dressed chickens, 14®15c; turkeys,
live, 16®l7e; turkeys, dressed, choice,
18® 20c; geese , live, 8® 9c; geese,
dressed, 10® 12e; ducks, 16®18c.
Hop*—Oregon, 1906, choice, 10 ®
10H c per pound; prime, 8 M ® 9 X «I
medium, 7®8c; olds, 5®7c.
Wool — Eastern Oregon average beet,
16®2lc per pound: valley, 24®26c;
mohair, choice, 26® 28c.
Veal— Dressed, 3 **® 7 t*c per pound.
Beef — Dressed bulls, $ X ® 3 c per
pound: cows, 316 ® 4 X « ; country
steers. 4®6c.
Mutton— Dressed, fancy, 8 X ® 9 c per
pound; ordinary, 4®5c; lamb*, 8®
•X«.
Pork— Dressed, 6 ® 81*0 per
t im b e r
land
b il l
ready .
Senate Committee Favors Repeal, but
> Fulton Will Fight It.
Washington,'March 19.— The senate
public lands committee today virtually
completed the bill to repeal the timber
and stone act and authorize the sale of
public timber at not less than its ap
praised value, small dealers to be given
preference in the sales and miners free
use of timber for domestic purposes,
the same as in forest reserves.
An amendment insisted upon by Sen
ator Fulton w ill be adopted giving the
counties 10 per cent of the amount of
sales in their respective limits in lieu
of taxes.
The committee is also framing a bill
to permit homestead entry of agricul
tural land in foreet reserves. This bill
is designed particularly to meet the
principle objection to reserves in Ida
ho. Senator Dubois is strongly urging
this measure and predicts its passage.
Mr. Fulton is tbe only member of the
committee opposed to the repeal of the
timber and stone act, but other West
ern senators agree with him and w ill
join him in opposition to the bill when
it comes up in the senate. In case it
is impossible to prevent the passage of
the bill by the Benate, Mr. Fulton will
seek to increase the amount to be paid
counties from the receipts Jof timber
sales from 10 to 25 per cent.
The Oregon senator is so thoroughly
convinced of the inadvisability of re
pealing the timber and stone act that
be w ill carry his fight to the house and
seek to induce the house committee to
table the senate bill, just as it has
heretofore tabled a similar mil in the
house. He feels certain that this leg
islation w ill be killed in the house, if
not in the senate.
Trustee* Endorse Tax Dodging.
Cheyenne, Wyo., March 19.— Irping
Howbert, president of the Portland
Gold Mining company, and his entire
board of directors were re-elected at
the annual meeting of the stockholders
today.
The re-election was bitterly
contested by J. F. Burns, who was
ousted from the presidency a year ago.
The action of the trustees in removing
the headquarters from Iowa to Wyom
ing to avoid paying $1,000,000 accumu
lated taxes was indorsed. The secretary
states that dividends in 1905 amounted
to $1,080,000.
Range Cattle Are Not Suffering.
Helena, Mont., March 16. — The bit
ter cold continues all over Montana,
but there is an absence of high winds.
Reports lrom tbe mountainous erctions
report from five to ten feet of snow on
a level.
W. G. Preuitt, secretary of
the Montana Stcckgrowers’ association
has received reports from the"range sec
tions which indicate that, while in
some sections the snow is deep, range
animals have not suffered. Unless the
severe weather should continue for two
weeks, there is no danger of losses to
the stockmen.
Constitution Is Saved.
Washington, March 19.— The famous
old war frigate Constitution, "O ld
Ironsides," is to be saved from rotting
at the Boston navy yard and w ill also
escape the worse fate of being used as a
target by the North Atlantic fleet. The
gallant old craft is to be patched up
and rehabilitated, so she may indulge
in an occasional cruise in mild weather.
This is the decision of the house com
mittee on naval affairs. It is estimat
ed that it w ill cost just $6,000.
Started I OOO Rivet*.
Baltimore, March 19. — The British
steamer Belfast, Captain McKee, which
arrived from La* Palmas, Grand Ca
nary, today, brought mails from the
drydork Dewey.
Captain McKee re
port* that when he left Las Palmaa re
pair* were being made to the dock,
which bad started a thousand rivets on
pound. the trip across the Atlantic.
HE WANTS DETAILS
Hermann Will Ask Proof Letters
. Were Official.
GOVERNMENT WILL BE PREPARED
Accused
Representative
Denies
De
stroyed Letter Books W ere Public
Documents and May Appeal.
Washington, March 20.— Represen
tative Hermann, through his attor
neys, intends to ask the court for a bi'.l
of particulars more definitely describ
ing tbe letterpress copybooks which he
destroyed just before leaving tbe gen
eral land office, and which are alleged
by the government to have been public
records. The b ill w ill be prepared and
submitted by District Attorney Baker,
if so ordered by the court, and, when
this is done, another effort w ill be made
to set a date for Hermann’ s trial.
From statements made by his counsel
last Friday, it is believed that Her
mann will seek permission to make a
special appeal to the Circuit Court of
Appeals, but it is not at all probable
that any such appeal w ill be granted
Whilb counsel has made no statement
about tbe case, court officials believe
that Hermann w ill not seek to evade
trial on account of his constitutional
right of exemption duriug the session
of congress, and it is therefore believed
that bis case w ill be tried^ some time
next month.
From the steps taken up to this time,
it is apparent that Hermann’s defense
w ill be solely on the contention that
the letter books destroyed by his order
were not “ public records.”
The de
fense does not deny the destruction of
35 letterpress copy books, but virtually
admitted this in tbe argument on the
demurrer.
In that same argument,
however, a line of defense was Bhown
up from which it is concluded that
Hermann w ill insist that the letter
books destroyed contained solely his
personal correspondence, which, he will
contend, cannot be construed as “ offi
cial,” and from this he w ill argue that
the books containing copies of this cor
respondence do not constitute "public
records.”
It is probable that the defense will
go so far aB to concede that many let
ters copied in the fateful books related
to business of the land office, but as
contended last Friday, they will insist
that all correspondence about the busi
ness of a government office is not neces
sarily “ official.”
One of the main arguments is likely
to be that the records destroyed con
tained nothing of permanent value to
tbe land office, and that, though the
books are gone, the land office has
sustained no material or consequential
loss. The burden of proof w ill rest
entirely upon the government and an
abundance of evidence is promised to
offset the contention of Hermann’ s
counsel and to show that the books de
stroyed were actually public docu
ments, in that they contained corres
pondence which, tbe government w ill
contend, was official within the mean
ing of the law.
G ERM ANY S T A N D S ALO N E .
All Other Powers Either Oppose Her
or Remain Neutral.
Paris, March 20. — Officials here say
that France’ s position is absolute and
final against placing Casa Blanca under
international command.
I t is main
tained that this is not a question of de
tail, but one that involves the entire
Franco-German controversy over inter
nationalization of the police.
The changes at the various capitals,
officials declare, mean that another
vote will show that France is supported
by Great Britain, Spain, Portugal and
Russia, with Austria doubtful and Italy
and the United States abstaining. Aus
tria’ s doubt is due to Vienna’ s waver
ing in the support heretoiore given to
Germany.
The current opinion in official circles
is that Germany intends to recede from
her position.
A C T ON J E T T Y B ILL.
House Rivera and Harbors Commit
tee Will Soon Meet.
Washington, March 16. — Chairman
Burton, of the house river* and har
bors committee, said he would call a
meeting of hi* committee at an early
day to consider Senator Fulton’ * w ill
appropriating $400,000 for work on the
jetty at the mouth of the Columbia
river. The committee is due to arrive
here from its southern trip by Saturday
or Sunday and it is probable the meet
ing w ill be held some time next week.
I f it shall be tbe opinion of the com
mittee that this separate bill should be
presented to the house and pressed on
it* merit«, the b ill w ill be reported
without amendment.
There i* every
reason to believe that the committee
w ill favor the appropriation of $400,000
inasmuch aa the chief of engineer* and
secretary of War have both stated that
this amount is absolutely necessary to
preserve the jetty work from destruc
tion and have specifically stated that
any lees amount w ill not answer.
There is a report that the members
of the house committee may favor en
larging the Fulton bill by add.ng pro
vision for three or four other emergency
project*, bo as to make it virtually an
emergency river and harbor bill, such
as was suggested earlier in the session.
This is not certain, however, as tbe
committee has had no meeting this
session, and its sentiments cannot be
accurately ascertained. I f the bill can
be so amended witboat making it a
general river and harbor bill, its
chances of passing the house w ill be
brighter than would the b ill making
an appropriation for tbe Columbia river
alone.
C O N S T IT U T IO N FOR C H IN A.
Commissioners Predict This as Result
o f Study o f America.
New York, March 1 8 .-- Prince Tsai
Tse, High Commissioners Bhang Chi
Heng and L i Cheng To, envoy* of the
emperor of China, their secretaries and
attaches, sailed on the W hite Star
liner Baltic today to continue their
investigations in England, France and
Belgium. The prince said last night:
“ I have greatlv enjoyed my visit to
this country, and the uniform courtesy
that has been accorded me, including
the reception by President Roosevelt,
has deeply impressed me with the
friendly attitude of the American peo
ple. I believe that such contact makes
for a better understanding and must
bring benefit to both of onr peoples.”
That China w ill soon have a contsi-
tutional government is the opinion of
some of the commissioners. Announce
ment of this belief was made by one of
the secretaries of the commission just
before the Baltic sailed.
I t followed
a brief conference between all members
of tbe party.
“ We have been making a compre
hensive study of the political situation
in this country,” he said, “ and have
seen the application of your laws, and
the workings of the governing bodies.
I believe that China w ill soon have a
constitutional government.
It w ill
probably be modeled much on the lines
of the British constitution, but w ill
contain some of the good features of
your own constitution.”
W R E C K K IL L S 150 PE O PLE .
Head-On*Collislon o f Fast Passenger
Train* In Colorado.
Pueblo, Colo., March 16. — No. 1,
southbound, and No. 3, northbound,
passenger trains on the Denver A Rio
Grande railroad collided head on near
Portland, Colo., shortly after midnight,
and it is reported at least 50 persons
are killed and a large number injured.
R elief trains have been ordered from
Pueblo and Florence. A t this hour de
tails are unobtainable.
Meager but authentic information
from several sources states that the
number killed in the collision w ill
reach 150. The ccaches canght fire and
most of tbe victims were roasted to
death.
Money fo r Guns and Powder.
Washington, March 16.— The senate
eommittee on appropriations
today
completed the fortifications bill, and it
was reported by Senator Perkins. It
carries appropriations aggregating $5,-
618,993, an increase of $780,000 over
the amount appropriated by the house
bill. The increases are: For mountain,
field and siege cannon and equipment
and machinery for their manufacture
at arsenals, $290,000; for the erection
and equipment of a powder factory and
or seacoast cannon, equipment and ma
chinery for their manfacture, $365,000.
Austria Victor In T a r iff War.
Belgrade, 8ervia, March 20.— The
Austrian-Servian tariff dispute has col
lapsed. Orders have been issued to ad
mit from today all Anstrian merchan
dise into Bervia on the same conditions
which prevailed before the tariff war.
Relations between Austria and Bervia
bad been strained for a long time past,
owing to the former’ s objections to a
custom union formed between Bervia
and Bulgaria, which Austria regarded
as not only adverse to her commercial
Kaiser Would Be Boss.
interests but as likely to lead to a league
London, March 19.— Reynolds’ News
of the Balkan states.
paper prints a dispatch from Berlin
stating that Kaiser William is more de
Hundreds Face Starvation.
termined than ever to have his own way
Denver, March 20. — By the loss of in regard to the Moroccan question at
1J lives in a snow-slide near Silverton the Algeciras conference.
His latest
the death roll resulting from the great ambition is to pose as the dictator of
storm of the past week in the 8an Joan Europe, and he seems to consider the
mining districts has been increased to present moment a favorable one to as
at least 15. At Silverton, at the Camp sume the role. The more moderate of
Bird mine, a few miles from Ouray, his ministers are anxious lest the kais
and at Coal Basin, on the western er shall provoke France too far, for
slope, hundreds of miners, their wives fear that France and England may
and their children are facing starva throw down tbe gauntlet to Germany.
tion. Mills and other mining property
estimated to be worth $1,000,000 have
Did They Steal Money?
been swept to destruction in deep
New York, March 16. — The grand
gulches.
jury which is investigating evidence in
the insurance matter submitted by
Storm Throughout East.
District Attorney Jerome is at sea as to
Washington, March 20.— The whole whether a political aseeement by a di
of the country east of tbe Mississippi rector of a corporation constitutes tbe
river is, according to reports to the crime ot larceny.
The members of
Weather bureau, experiencing the ef the jury questioned Mr. Jerome on the
fects of the prevailing storm, with the matter and at his suggestion the matter
temperature below the average for this was placed before Judge 0 ’ 8ullivan, of
time of the year.
There have been the Court of General Sessions, who w ill
heavy rains in the South and snow in render an opinion next week.
the North. The storm began Sunday
night in the South and extended into
Will Nationalize Railroads.
New England, New York, the lower
Tokio, March 16. — ’ The parliamen
lake region and the upper Ohio valley. tary majority in favor of nationalisa
tion of railways is reported to be in
Spreckles’ Doom Sealed.
creasing and there seems to be little
San'Francisco, March 20. — John D. I doubt tbe project w ill be carried
Spreckles is very near death. He may through.
Work on the elevated rail
linger for days, but a fatal outcome to road in Tokio, suspended during tbe
his illness is predicted.
Dr. W. 8 . war, ha* been resumed. Japan and
Thorne, who ha* charge of hi* case, has Russia are planning to exchange im
informed his relativsa that there is ab perial envoy* to signify tbe restoration
solutely no hope.
of i