REFORM IS DELAYED
Land Laws Will Not Be Changed
At Present Session.
DELAY WAS RATHER EXPECTED
Commission Appointed by Roosevelt to
Decide on Noedod Changes Has
Not Yet Made Final Report.
Wnshintgon, Doc. 10. Tho. house
committee on public Innda today voted
to KMtH)no Indefinitely tho bill to ro
jK'rtl tlio tlmlior mul stoqo net. Thin
action moans there w ill bo no land
law reform this session. Thin result
was expected, cscoially In view of tbo
fact that tbo public hinds eomijilsslon
bus not yet iiiiiiIo u Until report. Tbo
bill ih1 on was by far tbo most Im
portant of tbo laml roforni bills pend
ing, but when it was passed by tbo son
ata last session there was a illstlnct
understanding with tbo lnoinlieni of
tbo house oommittoo tbut it sbouiil not
io roimrted to tbo bouso during tbo
present eongrws.
Tbo bouso oommittoo tunnel tbo bill
down by a vote of 1U to 4, those voting
for ruponl Inline: Chairman I-iicoy, of
Iowa; Miller of Kansas. Nccdham of
California ami Volstead of Minnosotn.
In turning down tbls bill tbo commit
tot) stated tbut tbo rvpoul of tbo Umber
nnil souto art would shut off tbo source
of tbo greater portion of tbo reclama
tion fund, and wtmlil seriously handi
cap irripition work logun by tbo gov
crumont. Furthermore, it was said
that tbo repeal of this law would In) of
immeasurable lienellt to railroad com
panies and otbor large holders of forest
reserve lands, as it would cause a con
siderable rise in tho value of scrip,
which would bo the only remaining
way of getting largo tract of govern
nient timlwr land. There was, more
over, a general liellef that the tiinUir
and stone act, if properly administered,
is not a bad law.
ROOSEVELT URGES ACTION.
Anxious Interstate Commerce Com
mission to Have Greater Power.
Washington, Dec. 10. President
Kooovclt considered today with several
friends bis recommendation that in
creased powers 1ms conferred by legisla
tion iiKn the Interstate Commerco
commission. Tboso to whom ho talked
wore not only inombers of congress,
but men in -other walks of life. To nil
be indicated his eurnest desire that ac
tion of n don Hi to nature action that
would bring results to tbo cople
should lie taken as soon as practicable.
A day or twouiro ho considered tho
question with Judge Urosscup, of Chi
ougo. Today he discussed it with
Judge William W. Morrow, of the
United States court at Kan Francisco.
Ily invitntoin of tho president, a spe
cial committee of tho Commercial Trav
elers' Protective association called on
him today to consider bis recommenda
tion that the powers of tho Interstate
Commerce commission Ik? extended so
as to enable the commission to pass, up
on questions of railroad freight rates,
subject only to review by the courts,
MITCHELL MUCH GRATIFIED.
He' Wins Important Committeeship Jn
Face of Much Opposition.
Washington, Dec. 10. Sonator
Mitchell wuh highly gratified today to
receive the upiHilntmont as chairman
of thu committee on iiitorooiKtuio xi'
rials, which will bundle all legislation
hereafter enacted affecting tho Panama
canal and the cunul zone. lie succeeds
the lute Sonutur Ilanmt.
A vitry strong fight wuh made to keep
Senator Mithcoll out of his position,
and it was only when all endeavor to
force Senator Piatt to aecopt the placo
failed that tho position was given to
the Oregon senator.
Friends of Panama really wanted to
make KHtreilge, of South Dakota,
chairman of this committee, but could
not consistently Jump him over Mitch
ell. i .Senator Mitcholl was fought Ixoause
he was an ourmwt advocate of thu Nic
aragua route.
Dredge for Oregon Harbors.
Washington, Dee. 10. Representa
tive Hermann appeared before thu riv
ers and ImrlwtrH committee in support
of his bill unking an appropriation of
$100,000 for u dredge to bo used on
Oregon coast Ikith. Representative
Hermann bus received uHsuranceri from
Chairman Burton nnd other inoiuboni
of tho committee which lead htm to
httliveo the committee will iucororuto
in thu river nnd harbor bill u provision
for the dredge. The coutrhittcu is un
willing to make further appropriations
for the coast projects.
Canada Will Not CorJe to Fair
Ottawa, Ont., Dec. 10. Tho Domin
ion government decided today not to
send an exhibit to the Lewis and Clark
exposition.
DOINGS IN CONGRESS.
Friday, Docembor 0.
Tho house passed tbo legislative, ex
ecutive and Judicial appropriation hill
almost as it came from tho committee
aud adjourned until Monday
Throughout the cession today the
policy of retrenchment bold full sway,
and nil attempts to Increase natation
failed.
Tho house missed a resolution to ad
journ December 21 until January 4 fur
tho usual Christinas holiday.
Monday, Docombor 12.
Tho senate committee on privileges
mid elections has taken up the Hinoot
case. Three witnesses wero examined
and several new points brought out.
Senator Ktnwart has Introduced a bill
to raise tho salary of tbo president to
$100,000 a year, of tho vice president
and speaker of the house to f 20,000
each, and each senator, representative
and delegate to $10,000. It Is provided
that the bill shall take effect March 4,
1000.
The house passed n bill to give tho
agricultural department control over
forest reserves.
The senate dlccufsod the pure food
and Philippine government bills.
Tuesday, December 13.
Tho house passed n resolution Im
peaching Judge Swayne, of the North
ern district of Florida, for "high crimes
and misdemeanors" A committee
was appointed to notify the senate.
The senate passed a bill to throw open
for settlement 800,000 acres In the
Yakima Indian reservation.
Nothing of any Importance was de
veloped in tho Srtoot case today.
Five witnvsso were examined.
The house resolution for an adjourn
ment from December 31 to January 4
was adopted by the senate.
Senator Mitcholl Is suro of securing
tbo chairmanship of tho committee on
canals.
Wednesday, December 14.
Thu senate has appointed a commit
tee to arrange for tho trial of Judge
Suayno, of Florida.
A bill was passed iu tho senate ap
propriating $25,000 for tho improve
ment of Mount Itaiuier national jmrk.
In the house tho urgent deficiency
bill and several other bills of u public
nature were passed.
Thursday, December 15.
Tho senato sjont practically the en
tire day discussling the Philippine ad
ministrative bill. A uumlior of amend
ments were made. t'tidor mutiiiiiinns
ogreoineiit 'the vote on the bill will 1m
taken tomorrow ifnd the dlspostil of nil
amendment will occur iit the muiie
time.
The urgent deficiency bill wtw Med
without delMtu.
In thu house an attempt whs made to
rail up the bill to imprint currency
conditions. This mutter occupied ut
most the entire day, only a few mlnui
items coming Iniforo thu house
OREGON WINS MANY PRIZES.
W. H.Wehrung Says State Mado Fine
Showing at St. Louis.
Portland, Dec. 17. After several
months In St. Louis, where he bad
charge of the Oregon exhibit at the
Ijouisiuua Purchase exhibition, W. II.
Wohrung returned to Portland yester
day, lie reported wide Interest among
Kastcrnor In the 1-ewls and Clark ex
position u nd predicted there will be
heuvy westward travel next your for the
purpose of seeing the Western World's:
fair.
Mr. Wohrung speaks highly of the
showing made by Oregon at tho St,
Louis fair, Hiylng that the stHto held
ii)i well ugalust states with much larger
apitopriutions. He also says that he
has been told tbut Washington's repro
sentntivoM bought u consignment of Ore
gon cherries from a dealer and exhib
ited them as Washington product. Thus
Oregon competed in the' cherry contest
against her own prisluct.
Tho total number of medals won by
thu Oregon exhibit is 288, of' which 07
were gold medals, MO wero silver anil
71 bronze.
Spanish Cabinet Resigns.
Madrid, Dee. 17. Tlmoutlre cabinet
bus resigned. It Is unilersbxsl that
Honor Maura refuses to take up thu
task of organizing a new cabinet until
there is u dissolution of parliament.
The king subsequently summoned Pre
mier Asearragu, who it is understood
intimated he wuh not prepared to or
ganize u cabinet unless first assured of
thu support of Henors Maura and Hllve
lu. It is reported that thu crisis arose
on tho king's refusal to sign tho ap
pointment of General Lono as chief of
the general staff.
TO ACQUIRE CANAL
Site of Lochs at Oregon City May
lie Condemned,
SENATOR FULTTON FATHER'S RILL
Hopes to Have It Included In Rlvor
and Harbor Moasure Nation
Has a Right to Guild.
Washington, Dec. 14. Uncoil on a
repoit of United States Attorney Hall,
sent to congress today by the secretary
of war, Senator Fulton lutouils to intro
duce a bill authorising tho government
to acquire by condemnation the canal
and locks owned and operated by tbo
Portland General electric company at
Willamette Falls. Tho board of engi
neers, which made an examination of
this eiiuul two yearn ago, repot Is there
is sulllcient water in tho riu-r evert at
tbo lowest stage, to meet the demands
of commerce nnd to supply power for
the several manufacturing establish
mouts now located at Oregon City.
District Attorney Hall, reporting on
the local question, says If the govern
ment desires to acquire this canal, "tbo
measure of damage would be thu actual
present and projective value of the
locks, together with the damage suf
fered by depriving owners ol the tight
to take water therefrom foi manufac
turing or other commercial purposes."
Already, based on these reports, Sen
ator Fulton hat seemed a promise from
Itepresentatlve Jones to endeavor to se
cure a provision In the itvcr nnd har
bor bill, now being framed, authorizing
tbo puchsse of tho electric company's
canal after condemnation. Itepresent
atlve Jones will baeo his demands on
Senator Fulton's bill, which will prob
ably 11 x the limit of the cost of the
canal at $000,000 or $700,000.
SHORTER SCHOOL DAY.
New York Board to Consider Adop
tion of Three-Hour Day.
Now York, Dec. 14. A report Is be
ing prepared by Supeiiutendcnt Max
well for presentation to the !oard ol
education, which, it is said, will be the
first step toward the adoption of a
three hour or tbreo and a half hour
day for the lowest grades In all the
elementary schools of this city.
Tho board of superintendents has
been investigating as to the relative
results obtained by full day classes,
part-time clasu-s, morning classes and
afternoon classes In thu first two school
years, since the beginning of Novem
ber. The Investigation was begun as
a result of a proposal to cut down the
school day In there grades generally by
eliminating rertalu studies. President
Tifft, of the board of education, said
In reference to the scheme.
"While a live hour day Is probably
good to keep children ott the sheets In
tome parts of the city, I believe In
short school days for youngur children.
I would give every child educational
facilities as great as possible, but not
so great as to interfere with proper
mental nnd physical growth. More
than three hours' class work dally
makes tho children restless."
CHINESE LIKELY TO RISE.
First Japanese Reverse Is to Do the
Signal.
Chicago, Dec. It. Tho Chicago
Daily News has thu following today
from a staff correspondent ut Hong
Kong:
"Humors ol impending Iloxor trou
bles are prevalent throughout Nort.i
China. Information from several
sources points to tho fact that the Chi
no'o are drilling overywhure, nnd that
conditions are similar to those that
preceded the last outbreak, hut that
the trouble Is more widespread, and
the organization much better, It is
believed that large numbers of Japan
ceo olllcers are drilling troops In the
interior and commanding detachments
of General Ma's army northwest of
Pekin, and that a Japanese reverse will
be the signal for a geneial uprMug of
the Chinese ugaiuBt Kuaila, led by Jap
anese olllcers.
"Many residents hero fear that such
an outbreak could not be confined to Its
original limits but would uudanger the
safety of the foreigners throughout
China." m
Russia May Protest.
St. Petersbnrg, Deo. 14. Consider,
nolo interest is manifested in the re
port from thu Island of Porlm, In tho
straits of Dub el Mandeb, that thu
British steamer St, Leonards was taken
to Peri m by the British cruirer Fox be
cause she was credited with carrying
coal for the ItusBlan second Pacific
squadron. If It should appear that
the St. Leonards was stopped solely for
the reason that she was carrying coal
for the Russian squadron tho matter
la likely to become tho subject of a pro
test to the British government,
AMERICA LOSING FLOUR TRADE.
Shaw Confers Willi Millers Regarding
Drawback on Imported Wheat.
Washington, Dec. 17. At the re
quest of Secretary Shaw, loprosonlu
tlves of u number of the lending Untir
ing mill luteiests of tho country were
at thu treasury doputtiuont today iu
conference with the sieietury on the
subject of the legulatlous now Iu piep
uratiiiii to allow draw buck on exported
Hour made In part from liupoited
wheat. During the conference the sec
retary quest loncil the millers present
on several matters of detail In connec
tion with the milling of wheat, the
condition of the export trade and the
necessity for the action usked for.
At tho conclusion of the conference u
stuti'inont made by Secretary Shaw was
given out In which be says:
"The linportiieue of thoquiistlou will
be appreciated when it Is known that
during October, It'OM, 1,800,000 barrels
of American made Hour were exported,
mid iu October, IIIOI, Iocs than X00.000
barrels. Iu other words, the emrtH
t Ion of American made Hour bus fallen
off during the present season more than
iiue-half. If the Ruropetiu linkers tlmt
have been using the American made
Hour change, It will be next to Impos
sible to get the Initio Ixii'k, iiihI It never
can le gotten lsiek until the American
farmer sells his wheel cheep enough to
permit the American milter to under
sell." SLAIN DY DRUNKEN RUSSIAN.
Chinaman Singled Out by Sailor nnd
Filled with Uullets.
Shanghai, Dee. 17. The disorder
created by the sudors of thoilismautlod
Ittisslau vessels Askold and (Iromovol
reached their climax yesterday when
one of the crew of the Askold murdered
n Chinaman without the slightest prov
million.
The Russian was apuenty Intoxi
cated and rushed through one of the
streets of the Chinese fcttlcmciit with
a loaded revolver iu his hand. He
llreil several shots at (Kissers by, but
fulled to do any damage. Then he
made for a Chinaman who was stand
ing iu front of. his store, and, seining
him by the throet, emptied tln remain
ing chamliers of the pistol Into his vic
tim's Issly. A iNitltion has Is'ou iirt-
soiited to the authorities hero request-
lug tliat the Russian erews lie excluded
from the Chinese settlements, where
they have been making life a burden
for the residents. The matter will, In
all proiKthhility. lie submitted to the
foreign consuls, s not it day has tod
during the past mouth or sv without
some complaint Wing made matinst the
Kuwlnu. s far us can Ite learned.
tin- Chines dIIIcIhIs have kpt the
matter txwn-l, but this latent exploit
coil 1. 1 not he kept frimi the kliowh-lgf
if the Mtpe In general, mhiI united
action Is likely to lie token hrIii1 the
Itilsslun sttilors.
TO GET PHILIPPINE EXHIBIT.
I0O6 Fair Deal Only Awaits Approval
of Insular Department.
St. Louis, Deo. 17. Tho Chronicle
this evening says:
The sale of n large Philippine exhibit
for $111,000 to the (.owls and Clark ex
position couiKiny, is awaiting the uu7
thoriziitiou of the Insular ileHtrtment
at Washington. A careful and exten
sive list of displays, making u very
comprehensive Inanimate exhibit, whs
pretwrcd by the Philippine hoard for
tho Portland company. The price of
$10,000 was accepted by the Western
fair corjMirutlon, and the conclusion of
the deal only awaits the approval of
the Washington authorities.
The exhibit Includes displays from
ine einuuiogieiii, agricultural, forestry
and other Important demrlments at
the St. J-oills fair. It is estimated that
the l-owls and Clark comuuy could
not duplicate thu exhibit iu the Islands
and ship to Portland for double the
sum it will pay for the exhibit to bo se
cured iu this way.
No Nuws of Missing Attache,
Paris, Dee. 17. The foreign olllce
has not received any Information which
it consilium creditable concerning the
disappearance of Lieutenant Deciilver
ville, the French naval attache ut Port
Arthur. The statement was brought
out by sensational Loudon papers to
the effect Unit the ollicluls here hud
been advised that Japanese torpedo
boatH deliberately sunk a Junk on board
of which were tho French and (Ionium
naval attaches. The ollicialH point out
that the $2,000 rewind for news of Its
missing attache is still unolulmod.
Robbor Locks Cashlor In.
Hlbblng, Minn., Dee. 17. A lono
robber held up thu bank at CI.U,1,,,
during business hours today, secured
$2,200, and escaped, Ho forced Cash
lor Grleser Into tho vault at the imi.
jslo of it revolver nnd locked tho door.
WILL STARVE FORT
Japs to Make Lower Assaults on
Port Arthur.
COST OF LIFE IS TOO GREAT
Sinking of Russian Fleet Wns Main
Object of the Recent Deipnr-
nto Attncks by Army.,
Toklo, Dec. 11', In disabling tho
Russian licet at Port Arthur, pieolud
lug the possibility of Its being able to
reinforce the second Paclllu squadron,
the Japanese have accomplished the
main object of the desperate assaults
against tho fortiess which they have
been milking for the past three months.
Thoto is now a strong probability that,
while continuing the siege, they will
avoid losses of the msgiiltuile already
intending their efforts, nnd, Instead of
assaulting will rely an starving out tho
giu risen until It Is Una Ily captured.
Couslileialie astonishment Is ex
pressed heie ever the fsct that the Rus
sians Iu no way resisted the dlnshlng
of the Port Arthur licet, lu certain
quaiters the opinion is expressed thiit
the Russians opened thoscAcockn of the
submerged Vessels to lessen their ex
iosiir(. to the Japanese lire.
The recent cessation of mine clrarlng
was taken as evidence that the Heel did
not Intend to make n sortie.
There was no sign of life on the Rus
sian ships during the bombardment,
ami from this fact It Is c .ricluded that
tho bluejackets took refuge on land or
that they are engaged In the laud de
fenses. With the ItiiMlan second Paclllu
squadron approaching, tbix.ii In Toklo
cannot comprehend the (allure of thu
Russians to die hard and to lullicl all
possible damage on the Japanese licet,
even at the cent of weakening the ef
fective garrls n.
DEAL IS CLOSED.
Stamp
Mill to Opnrnta During Lewis
and Clark Fair.
Portland, Dec. 12. Negotiations
wero prsctlrally completed with a big
Colorado mining company yesterday
for the Installation at the Lewis and
Clark exposition of a stamp milt, con-
(rntratlcn plant and other mining ma
chinery, showing the treatment accord
ed raw ore In converting It Into bull
ion. This will form n valuable addi
tion to the mining exhibit, which
promises to lie tho most nolalilo ever
made.
The company iu question Is the Colo
rado Fuel A Iron company, one of Ihn
largest of Its kind In elxstence, The
priqMiitlon was (undo to the exiKHltlon
manauement In the forui of an offer to
Install the nmchliieiy providing Ore
gon mining men would furnish sulll
cient ore to keep the machinery busy
during the exposition hours. After
n canvass of Oiegon producers the ex
position niNiiageirent was able to assurn
the company that no dilllculty will Ixt
experienced In supplying nil of the oio
that will bo requited.
It Is poslhlo that an annex to tho
mining building will U required for
tho new working exhibit, as the spaco
In thu main building Is now well taken
and no great allotments can be innilo to
one enterprise since the interests of In
dividuals and dlstrirts which wish to
participate must he protected.
General interest Is being displayed
In the Lewis and Clark uilnlugexhlhit.
Miners nnd milling men all over tho
country are preparing their eholrest
ores fur shipment hsre, nnd Judging
from the number of offers of minerals
now on Hie nt exposition hendqunrtcra
there will be mote ores on hnud than
mil possibly I mi shelved. This will no.
cessltatu thu selection of choice speci
mens, although It will not caumi any
exhibit to be ruled out, as nil exhibit
ors will bo given n chance.
SI, 000,000 for Improvements,
Denver, Dee. 12, The News todav
diyat Plans to spind $1,000,000 In lin".
pioveuieuts ut Pueblo have been an
nonnced from thu olllce of the Colorado
Fuel A Iron company lu Denver. Tho
money is part of tho $8,000 000 impro
priation under the recent reorganUn
tlon scheme foi extern-Ion of proper
ties. The b)g tin plate mill and the
merchant mill, both of which ate In
complete, will ho finished nt onco, nnd
the latest machinery for thu manufac
ture of nil sprts of merchant steel is to
be Installed, '
Donles Sbo OfTorod to Duy Ships.
London, Dec. 12 Tho foreign olllco
say theru Is no foundation for thu
story that Great Britain bus offered
Turkey money to buy Argontlno nnd
Chilean warships in rotum fnr mn.
Cessions Which WOllbl tinnnlt rjrut
Ilritnln to orcct a second Qlbrnltnr on
tho coast of Yemen, which would give
utent Britain control of tho lowet en
trance to tho Red sea,