fa'
JVENTS OF THE DAY
ftcwsy Items Gathered from AH
Paris ol llio World.
t Prepared fob tiie busy seader
'altii Important but Not Last lntp
illnc Happenings from Points
Outslds the Ototo.
Governor Johnson, of Minnesota, has
luffercd n relapse mid lies nt death s
Fdoor.
Tho national convention of bankers
'has declared against postal savings
itisnks.
The IiIl-Ii court of tJL Petersburg Is
passing out wholesale sentences on tho
mere word of spies.
Y. Uchldn, now Jspsneso ambassa
dor to Austria, will ba transferrin! to
the United State.
Western Canada trades unions are
innklntt n fight agalnat uelng Oriental
labor on the railroads.
In a spvech at Winona, Minn., Pres
ident Tafl declared the present UrllT
law the best the country ever had.
The steamer Nicholas, en route from
Havana to Clsnfuegos, weot ashore on
tho Isle of Pines and 20 lives were lost.
The (treat Northern and St. I'aul
promise a fiO-hour schedule from Chi
cago to Seattle In the fight for mall
contracts.
Dr. Cook ssys be has records which
will nrovve ba was nt the I'ole and will
convince tho skeptics as soon as he
reaches the United States.
The Interstate Commerce commis
sion will Investigate the reasona for
tho Santa ho withdrawing Its offer to
put on a fast mall train to tho Pacific
coast.
A temperance wavo Is sweeping over
Germany.
London's new non-tip hotel Is mak
ing a great hit.
The forest fires In Southern Califor
nia continue to grow.
Governor Johnson's physicians an
nounce that ha will recover.
Mexicans attacked and stoned tho
Austrian consulate at Montereyx.
The damage to the Portland Flour
ing mills plant la placed at $300,000.
Peary says ho will bo glad to refer
the I'ole controversy to an arbitration
court.
A new pretender to tho Persian
throne has appeared and troops have
been sent to suppress him.
The Husslan cabinet has decided that
the czsr Is supreme In all matters re
lating to tho army and navy.
Walter E. Clsrk, the new governor
of Alaska, says there must be peace
between the rival political parties.
Two Ios Angeles men, both over 80,
fought ovrr a woman who Is 70. One
of the combatants Is In tho hospital.
Robbers attempted to hold up a Illo
Grande train In Colorado, but did not
succeed In getting Into tho express car.
The widow of Claus Spreckles has
been awarded $3,000,000 of her bus
band's estate.
It now seems as though tho Chicago
streetcar men will win their fight with
the company.
Wlllllsm II. Wallace has been chosen
for the Democratic csndldsto for may
or of Sslt Lnko.
James J. Hill ssys too many people
nro going to tho cities instead of stay
ing on the farm,
Thousands of acres of pasture and
wood land has been burned over In So
noma county, Cnl., by forest fires.
Peary roltoratea that ha is tho only
whlto man who aver saw tho Polo and
promljos to disprove Cook's claim.
David 1'. Thompson, United States
sunbasssdor to Mexico, has secured
control of tho Pnn-Amorlcan railroad,
d lino 244 miles long.
Tho port of Mulege, on tho oast
coast of Lower California, was over
whelmed by n tidal wave September 4,
Considerable property was destroyed.
Dewey snys tho United States neods
a larger navy.
It Is said tho Harrlman estato will
not ba divided.
Tho Peary-Cook controversy has
grown very bitter In New York,
Hear Admiral Schley favors Cook,
notwithstanding that Peary Is a navy
man,
Swodon has taken steps to ond tho
labor war. Arbitration will bo In
sisted upon,
Tho biennial convontlon of the na
tional association of machinists is In
session at Donver,
FOIlEBT FIHEB IIAQE.
Olsra f hreslons Many Hunches and
California Heaorls,
Run Francisco, Sept. 115. Sovernl
thousand men are engaged In n dozen
counties of tills statu In lighting nu
merous forest (Ires that threaten rsnch
and resort buildings, as well us many
squaro miles of valuable timber lands,
As a result of theso conllsgratlons un
usual hent provslls along tho coast.
Ureal dsmsgo already has been donn
to ranch houses and several groups of
summer retort hotels and tent cottages
have been destroyed.
The most serious (Ires reported today
nro In Northern Sonoma, Western
Nsmpa, Mendocino, Ssnta Cruz, Lake
and Los Angeles counties. In Nampa
county, where Walter Springs was de
stroyed and tho cottages and tent hous
es at Ilurk's sanitarium were badly
damaged, the fire burned Itself out to
day, but In tho hills near Preston tho
flames nre spreading.
In tho vicinity of Uklah the whole
country is ablaze. Fire fighters are
back firing to sava tho city from de
struction. In tho vicinity of Csllstoga
th conflagration that threatened that
town last night baa been controlled. A
hundred men from St. Helena succeed
ed In saving suburban residents scat
tered through the foothills. Near
Watsonvllle a fire has been burning for
two days, spreading In the direction of
Ollroy.
Hangers suceeded In saving the big
trees. Thousands of acres In Uia foot
hills west of Donovan valley, Lake
county, have been swept by the flames,
but they are now under control. For n
time tho all region around Whittles
wns In danger. Most of the fires so far
renorted originated at nolnts whera
campers had left cmbersor from sparks
from engines.
WOULD REFORM FINANCE8.
President Opens Western Tour at
Doston With rtevslstfons,
Hoson, Mass., Sept. IS. President
Taft yesterdsy bsgsn his tour of tho
country, by coming to this city from
Ileverly In an automobile, accompanied
by Mrs. Taft, his daughter and Pro
fessor and Mrs. Louis Moore, and mak
ing a speech at th lioston Commercial
club, which wai devoted mainly to n
discussion of financial reform.
The president revealed that the Mon
etary commission will recommend the
establishment of a central bank and
that Senator Aldrlch Intends to stump
the country In order to arouto Interest
In his plan of financial reform. He
also dwelt on tho nerd of reform In the
Interstatu commerce and antl-trust
laws and strongly deprecated section
alism, either between Hast or West or
North or booth,
Tho president said he was going to
take his Western trip becausa he be
lieved It would enable Im to be a
much mora efficient prtsldent and
make Mm better acquainted with the
needs of thst great section. He also
outlined some of the matters to be sub
mitted to tho next congress.
SEPARATION IDEA QROWS.
Southern California Taxpayers Begin
Spreading Propaganda.
Los Angeles, Sept. 16. Membe'rs
of executive committees appointed at a
mass meeting of taxpayers In Symphony
hall yesterdsy, will meet tomorrow to
organize and Issue a formal call for a
conference to consider tho formation of
the state of South California.
Under tha terms of tha resolution
tho conference Is to bo hold within 30
lays. Although yesterday's meeting
went on record as favoring stata divi
sion, tha conferences are to consider
all phases of the question carefully, and
to decldo whether the formation of a
newstato is deslrablo. If it decides in
favor of it. a convention Is to ba called,
to which all counties and all tho prin
cipal cities in Southern California will
ba asked to sond delegates.
Boy or 00 Uests It In 10,
Los Angeles, Cal , Sept. IS. Whon
Dr. II. W, Lawrence, 80 years old,
llnod up nt tho taK opKallo tho Hoi
lenbeck horns to go against tlmo for
CO yards nn Inconslderato youth yelled
"Heat it, kid." Tho venorablo antl
clgnrottlst twiddled his whlto whiskers
disdainfully and "boat It " Ha trav
eled that CO yards In 10 seconds flat.
Tho time was taken by two men, but
not, of course, under sanction of tho
A. A. U. "I'll sign against anybody
for Thanksgiving day," tho aged phy
sician said.
Tldsl Wavo Sweeps Port.
Mexico City, Sept. IS. Tho Port of
Mulege, on tho oast coast of Lower
California, was overwhelmed by a
tidal wavo September 4, Thorn woro
several casualltles and considerable
proporty was destroyed. Tho tidal
wave flooded tho Inland district for a
distanco of about two miles.
Mount Vesuvius In Action,
Homo, Sopt. 16, A dispatch from
Portico, on tho liny of Naples, to tho
Glornalo d'ltnlla Buys that Mount Ve
suvius Is actlvo again. Guides report
rumblings followod by slight seismic
shocks. The small craters havo been
nusually actlvo in tho last few days.
NEWS FROM THE
HEAR PACIFIC HATE CASES.
Pull Interstate Commission Will Sit on
Coast In Octobsr.
Washington, Bopt. 17, Tho entire
Interstate Commerce commission will
visit tho Pacific const this fall and con
duct hearings on all complaints of rec
ord from that section. Tho hearings
will begin nt Seattle, October 1, and
after clearing the Washington docket,
the commission will move to Portland
on October 14, and to Ssn Francisco
four days later.
Among tho questions to bo heard are
the allegation that various distributive
rates In the Northwest are excessive
Testimony will also bo tsken on vari
ous complaints affecting the contem
plated rearrangement of all transcon
tinental rates to Pacific coast points.
Most of tho Isrge cities have entered
complaints which will bo heard. In
most Instances whero time permits, tho
commission will hoar arguments after
hearing testimony.
Among cases on which testimony will
be taken at Portland nro: Oregon
Hallrosd commission vs. O. It. & N.
snd ether roads; Farmers' Co-operative
& educational union vs. Great North
ern and others, and Astoria chamber of
commerce vs. Great Northern.
At Seattle tho commission will take
up tho following: Portland chamber
of commerce vs. O. H. & N. and others;
Transportation bureau, Seattle cham
ber of commerce, vs. Northern Pacific
and others: Humboldt Steamship com
pany vs. Whlto Pass Yukon route, of
Alaska; F. S. Harmon vs. Lake Shore
& Michigan Southern railroad, and Se
attle Frog & Switch company vs.
Northern Pacific
At San Francisco a long docket Is to
bo heard, tho most Important cssa be
ing thst of the Pacific Coast Jobbers'
& Manufacturers' sssoclatlon vs. South
ern Pacific and other roads.
Balllnger Denies Rumor.
Wsshlngton, Sept- 10. Secretary
Balllnger is suffering from sore throat
today and on tho advice of his physi
cian Is not at his office. Ho has been
ordered to remsin at home as quietly
as poislble and expects to bo back at
work In a day or two. He will depart
for tho Wo it Saturday and will meet
President Taft either at Denver or
Helena. Secretary lialllngar denies
tho rcKrt that ho contemplates resign
ing from the Taft cabinet, as pub
lished in yesterday's diipatchcs.
Lsnd Withdrawn From Entry.
Washington, Sept 10. The secre
tary of the Interior has withdrawn
from entry southwest quarter of sec
tion 20, township 25 south, range 14
east, In Lake county, Oregon, until the
geological survey can make an exam
ination of the peculiar formation on
this lsnd, known as Fortrock. If this
lsnd mark Is considered of sufficient
importance, It will be permanently re
served as a national monument.
Hitchcock Coming West.
Washington, Sept. 16. Postmaster
General Hitchcock loft Washington to
night on a trip to tbe Psciflc coast, go
ing by way of Now York city. Ho
will arrive in Seattlo In time to bo
present at the Washington state post
masters' convention, September 20 and
21. He will attond also tho conven
tions of tho Oregon and Montana post
masters. Irrigation Contract Awarded.
Washington, Sept. 18. A contract
has been awarded D. II. Traphogen, of
Seattle, for tho construction of that
portion of tho distribution systom of
tha Tieton irrigation project on the
Notches Ridge, Washington. The
work Involves tho excavation of 117,
700 cubic yards of material. Tho con
tract price was $31,600.
Tafi's Secretary at White House,
Washington, Sept. 18. Fred W.
Csrpontor, secretary of tho president,
and Rudolph Forster, one of tho as
sistants ecretarlos, who were at Hover
ly, Mass., have returned to Washington
and assumed their duties at tho Whlto
House President Taft will at all timu
be In easy communication with Waih
Ington.
Spencer Eddy Resigns,
Washington, SopL 18. The Stato
department today received the resigna
tion of Spencer Eddy, of Illinois, min
ister to Houmanla and Servia. Mr.
Eddy's wife, is the daughter of John
D. Sprockets, of San Diego. Ill health
Is given as tho cause for Eddy's resig
nation.
' .
He Defended John Surratt.
Washington, Sopt, 10. Judgo W.
F. Morris, formor chief justice of tho
court of appeal for tho District of
Columbia, died today, aged 74 years.
Judge Morris defended John II. Sur
ratt, one of tho alleged conspirators
against President Lincoln.
NATIONAL CAPITAL
DROP MALHEUR PROJECT.
No Funds Available to Continue Irri
gation Work.
Washington, Sept. 18. It wns an
nounced today that th government
will not at the present tlmo undertske
tho construction of tha Mslheur Irriga
tion project.
Secretsry Ualllnger, though anxious
to help sottlers in tbe Malheur con
tract country, finds after a study of
tho cntlro Irrigation situation, that
tho condition of the reclamation fund
will not now Justify the adoption of
any now projects. Many millions of
dollsra, In addition to what Is at pres
ent available, aro needed to complete
projects In course of construction and
as tha adoption of now projects would
seriously intorforo with finishing what
has been heretofore undertaken, it has
boen decided temporarily to lay aside
all applications for new work. This
decision Is approved by President Taft.
Tba question whether or not tha
Malheur project shall ba built by prl
veto enterprise has not been passed
upon, and probably will depend largely
upon tho attitude of landowners. How
long it will be before the Malheur pro
ject can be undertaken by the govern-
mept is purely a matter of conjecture.
SHIPPERS GET REBATE.
Sensational Charges Made Against At
lantic Ocean Unas.
Washington, Sept. 14. In official
circles hero more than ordinary Interest
Is excited over the Investigation in
New York into tho alleged illegal oper
ations of some of the trans-Atlantic
steamship lines, especislly the Holland
American line.
Tbe charges thst these lines have
entered into conspiracy with certain
American railroad lines in restraint of
trade, that rebates havo been paid them
by some railroads and that they have
laid themselves liable to prosecution
under the terms of tbo Sherman anti
trust act did not surprise those who
had followed the proceedings In what
was known as tbe Cosmopolitan ship
ping cases before the Interstate Com
merce commission.
The commission dismissed the case
on the ground that it had no authority
to act. The evidence was turned over
to tho Department of Justice. Wade
E. Ellis, assistant to the attorney gen
eral, expressed surprise that the mat
ter ha 1 become public and declined to
discuss it.
New Governor of Porto Rico.
Washington, Sept. 16. It was an
nounced tonight that the president
would appoint George R. Cotton, of
the District of Columbia, as governor
of Porto Rico. Mr. Col ton first went
to tbe Philippines as lieutenant colonel
of a Nebraska regiment. After that
he was made collector of customs at
Manila. This office he now holds,
having coma homo on leave of absvneo
to assist the bureau of Insular affairs
In preparing the Philippine tariff bill.
Consulsr Promotions.
Washington, Sept. 17. Tho follow
ing promotions have been made in tbe
consular service: David F. Wilbur,
of New York, from consul general at
Halifax to consul at Kobe, Japan;
James W. Hagsdale, California, from
consul nt St. Petersburg to consul gen
eral at Halifax. Rsgsdale entered the
consular service at Tientsin, China, in
1697 and was transferred to St. Peters
burg In 1008.
Show Disgust With Peary.
Wathlngton, Sept. IB. "role hunt
ing is a sportsman's job; the scientific
valuo of the discovery is very slight,"
said Henry W. Perkins, acting super
intendent of the coast geodetic survey,
today. All Washington replies: "Jf
that is true, why, In heaven's name,
can't tho question of the victory bo
settled In a sportsmanlike manner?"
Are Railroads Overpaid?
Washington, Sept. 14. It was an
nounced today that Postmaster General
Hitchcock will institute an inquiry ,to
dotremlno whether tho $60,000,0p0
which tho government annually pays
the railroads for carrying the mails is
too much or too little for the service
performed.
Governor Clsrk to Take Oath,
Washington. Sept, 14. Walter E.
Clark, of this city, will tako the oath
of ottlco ns governor of Alaska at Ju
neau October 1, Ho leaves for San
Francisco tomorrow, where he will be
banqueted by the commercial bodies of
that city.
Orders Threo Billion Postcards,
Washington, Spet 14. The contract
, for supplying 3,487,000,000 postal
cards to bis department in the next four
years has been awarded by Postmaster
General Hitchcock to tho government
printing office at the lowest bid, $934,-717,06.
AID IS NEEDED.
Appeal Made to America for Suffer
ers In Msxico,
Washington, Sept 14. Tales of
great suffering In the flooded districts
of Moxlco as told In telegrams receiv
ed at tho Stato department today from
Consul General Philip C. Hanna,
brought forth another appeal tonight
from tbo American Red Cross society
for funds with which to ."supply our
unfortunate neighbors of Mexico with
tho necessities of life."
Tho loss of life and destruction of
property Is even greater than was at
first supposod, and It Is predicted that
great physical suffering will prevail
among the homeless during the fall and
winter.
Tb destruction was greatest In the
country and small towns between Mon
terey and Matamoras. Mr. Hanna ssys
the American consul at Matamoras re
ports thst place under water and a seri
ous condition of affairs exists and that
the railroads between Matamoras nnd
Monterey bave been washed out.
"We are sending supplies down the
railroad as fast as it Is opened," says
Mr Hanna.
Ho suggests that It might be possi
ble for the American army in the South
west to co-cporate with the Mexican
army and American and Mexican con
suls in assisting Mexican towns.
"It is believed by many," Mr. Han
na said, "that mors than 10,0000 lives
have been lost, and thousands are home
less." OLD SETTLEMENT IN RUINS.
Storm Plsys Havoc With Century-Old
"Pisco of Peace."
La Paz, Osja California, Sept. 8. via
Guaymas, Sept 14. La Paz, the old
est settlement of tha Cslifornios, is in
ruins. The most terrific storm ever
known has wrought havoc in and about
tha old pueblo. Seven lives are al
ready known to bo lost and tbe shore is
strewn with wreckage from ships and
boats In the roadstead. In many places
tho water la four feet deep in tho
streets and some of the thoroughfares
are channels for raging torrents.
Communication with tho outside
world, except by a stesmer, which baa
just stopped at the port, is cut off and
tbo greatest misery exists, especially
among the poor townspeople, the ma
jority of whom bave lost everything
tbey bad In the world.
From the country districts comes the
news that the devastation there bss
been great. Without warning the cy
clone burst on this "Place of Peace,"
accompanid by torrents of rain. The
boats along shore and anchored in the
bay were torn from their moorings and
most of them were battered in collision
or thrown upon the beach. The sky
was overcast and many believed the
end of the world at hand, and crowded
tho old mission church In a dollrium of
fear.
BOMB CASES ON TRIAL.
Sensational Disclosures Are Promised
at Chicago.
Chicago, Sept. 14. Sensational dis
closures are promised in tbe trial of
Vincent A. and Joseph Altman, charg
ed with malicious mischief and arson.
A score of witnesses will be brought
by the state in an attempt to prove
that both were guilty of causing the
explosion and fire whtch wrecked the
Standard Sash Door company's plant.
May 28, 1908, and their testimony, it
is claimed, will throw considerable
light on the entire series of bomb out
rages which have taken place in Chi
cago in the Isst two years.
Sercetary John J. Brittain, of the
Amalgamated Carpenters' union, said
today that members of tho union would
do all in their power to aid tho defenso.
Assistant State's Attorney Benjamin
J. Short, who will have charge of the
prosecution, said that the reason the
"Bomb 31" case would not be heard
first was (hat State's Attorney Way
mnn believed It was not as Important a
case as thst of the Standard Sash &
Door company's explosion and fire, and
that the penalty was not so great.
' "Conviction in the case to bo tried
first means a penalty of 29 years' im
prisonment," he said, "while in tbe
'Bomb 31' case there is no arson charge
and the penalty for the offense is only
ten years."
Female Labor Law Attacked.
Chicago, Sept 13. Circuit Court
Judgo Tuthill has issued a writ re
straining the state's attorney and the
factory inspector from bringing suits
against W. C Ritchie &Co., paper box
manfacturers, to punish thst firm for
working IU womon for more than 10
hours a day. The injunction was ob
tained by tho lawyers of the Illinois
Manufacturers' association. An tin
peal will be taken. If the ruling
stands, the law prohibiting the em
ployment of women for longer than 10
hours a day will be Invalidated.
Scott to Seek South Pole.
Loondon, Sept 14. Captain R.
Scott, who commanded tho "Discov
ery" expedition In 1902, will start next
July on his Antarcticexpedltlon. Cap
tain Scott said today his plan Included
the use of three methods, sledge, trac
tion by ponies and dogs and motor
sled.
TAFT PACKS HIS GRIP
All Is Ready for Start on Long
Western Toor,
EXECUTIVE OFFICES ARE CLOSED
Goes to Boston by Motor and Offi
cial Trip Starts From There
Chicago Next 8top.
Beverly, Mass., Sept. 14. Presi
dent Taft gave up his golf game and
all official business yesterdsy and de
voted himself to preparing for the long'
Western trip, which will really have
IU beginning when be motors Into lios
ton this afternoon to attend a chamber
of commerce banquet. The president
will pass the night in Boston, leaving
there for Chicago at 10 o. m. Wednes-
dsy. Mrs. Taft expects to remain In
xseverly until November 12, when the
president plans to arrive bore to take
her back to Washington. The execu
tive offices will close after the presi
dent leaves Beverly.
With tho assistance of two servsnts
the president packed his numerous
grips and trunks.
Tbe president also was busy yester
day assembling tbe numerous papers,
documents and reference books wbleh
he will need In tbe preparation of his
manuscript. Secretary Carpenter bad
collected most of these and it was the
president's taak to revisejthe list. The
president bad no official engsgement.
Oscar Lawlor, assistant attorney
general of the Interior department,
was at Beverly and his presence led to
a renewal of the report that the presi
dent may have something to say on the
Bailiager-Pinchot controversy before
he leaves for Boston.
LOVETT IS HEAD.
Elected Chairman Union Pacific Ex
ecutive Committee.
New York, Sept. 14. Ex-Judge Rob
ert S. Lovett, chief counsel for the
Union Pacific railroad, was yesterday
elected chairman of the executive com
mittee of the company, thereby be
coming the successor of Edward II.
Harrlman In the control of the vast
railroad and steamship systems which
the fiancler built up. Tbe Union Pa
cific still remains without a president,
as Mr. Harrlman occupied this position
also. It is understood, however, that
an operating man, probably L. F.
Lores, president of the Delaware
Hudson, will be elected to the place at
tbe annual meeting of the stockholders
October 12.
At the same meeting where Mr.
Lovett was elected to the chief execu
tive position of the keystone read of
the Harriman system, William Rocke
feller and Jacob H. Sehiff were elected
members of the board of directors of
the Union Pacific and were also ap
pointed members of the executive com
mittee. Messrs. SchlfT and Rocke
feller succeed Mr. Hsrrlman and the
late Henry II. Rogers as members of
tho board.
WOULD DIVIDE CALIFORNIA.
People of South Propose New State
Because Taxes High.
Los Angeles, Sept. 14. The South
California State league was made a
permanent organization at a maaa
meeting of citizens of Los Angeles, In
Symphony hall.today, with George N.
Black as president and Herbert Bur
dette and B. A. Stephens as serectarea.
The meeting was called by the Loa
Angeles Realty board to offer a protest
against the recent action of tho state
board of equalization in raising the as
sessed valaatlon of tho property of this
county.
Many of those present at the meotlnfc
today wore badges inscribed "South
California Stato League."
The wearing of these badges and
many of the speeches made reflected a.
strong sentiment in favor of state divi
sion, and this was later crystallized la
a set of resolutions passed by tho meet
ing. Opium Hidden Among Fish.
Marysville, Sept. 14, Having re
ceived information that a large quan
tity of opium was being smuggled here
from San Francisco, the police placed
a watch on a Chinese store which waa
suspected. Officer Burroughs remained
in hiding for fivo hours last night and
finally waa rewarded by catching seve
ral Chinese in the act of receiving a
package marked "fish" from Wells,
Fargo & Co. expreos. The men were
arrested and the package was seized.
It proved to contain a large amount of
opium bidden among fish.
Knife for Governor Johnson,
St, Paul, Minn., Sept 14. Governor
John A. Johnson will go to Rochester,
Minn., this afternoon to undergo an
other operation as the result of an
operation for appendicitis several years
ago, which left several painful ah