S-' V : " -., k ! omtmt ffcbutxe. ,rti1f- flS TWO CENTS. TEN PAGES. SCRANTON, PA., THURSDAY MORNING, aiARCH 8, 1900. TEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. BOERS STILL RETREATING Hastily Leaving Their Positions in Front of Gen. Roberts. JTRENGTH OF THE ENEMY Correspondents Differ as to the Number of Boers in the Field The Force of Lord Roberts Is Much Superior However The Boers Do Not Seem to Realize the mobility of General Roberts' Army, Which Enables Him to Strike Swiftly. Standard's Words of Caution. London. March S. I a. m. Lord Roberts wired yesterday morning from Osfontcln and in the evening from Poplar CI rove, fourteen miles eastward. By tin application of the. elementary principle of strategy tins Boer positions miles long across his path have been emptied and flair holders have been obliged to retire In confusion conse quent upon hasty withdrawal. Nothing was donu by Lord Roberts to disturb the symmetry of the deadly Ingenuity of the Uoer trenches in front of him. He marched out Infantry, It Is stated, from the commands named at 30,000 men and sent 1,000 horsemen and horse artillery in a bold sweep f ji round the Uoer left, whereupon the Boer center aftd light became unten able. Fifty British fell when the cav alry came Inlo contact with the Rocrs. Th correspondents differ as to the enemy's strength. The Dally Mall's reporter thtnhs they number something more than 10,000. The Dally News man estimates them at 10,000. As theso figures come from observers at head quarters It Is clear that Lord Huberts' fnrco was overwhelmingly superior. He can scarcely have fewer than 4."i,n00 Immediately available, as the guard.! brigade reached him from Lord Me thllen Tuesday. Lord Metliuen now commands onlv volunteers and the local forces at Klmberley, some of whom have gone toward Mafeking. The Boers do not yet appear tn ap preciate the mobility of Lord Roberts' corps, which was able to strike so swiftly In this affair that thj enemy had to absindon a pan. much forage and a large quantity of camp equip age. Standard's Caution. The Standard cautions Englishmen against "rising to a height of serene contentment which the actual position does not Justify," and thus measures the southern campaign as a l.trgf num ber of Bors still in the field. They have a wide range of country over which they can operate. Although their morale is somewhat damaged, it would bo ton much to say that thev wiil not stand again. Indeed, what we want them to do Is to stand again, for It is only In a real stand up light that wc can Inflict those losses which would eventually lead the defeated to sue for peace. Lord Roberts has gained a success, but must It not be regarded as a signal victory until we know what damage has been Inflleted and what prisoners have been taken. The Dutch risings In the northeast ern districts of Cape Colonv are the only cloud visible in the success of British prospects. The military author ities have decided that General Cronje and the Boer prisoners shall be sent Immediately to the Island of St. Helena, there to remain until the end of the war. Lord Roberts has selected Ixird Hat hurst, colonel of a reglment at the front, to command the escort to St Helena, which was last month placed in cable communication with Cap Town and London. It la also asserted that the cabinet has resolved neither to propose nor to entertain a proposal at the present Juncture for an exchange of prisoners. From London Office. London, March 7, midnight, The war office has Just posted the follow ing advices from Lord Roberts: "Poplar Grove. "Wednesday, March 7, evening. We had a very successful day and have completely routed tha enemy, who are In full retreat, "The position which they occupied Is extremely strong and cunningly ar ranged, especially their second line of entrenchments, which' would have caused us heavy loss had a direct nt tack been made. The turning move ment necessarily was wide, and ow ing to the nature of ground, was diffi cult. "The fighting was confined to the cavalry division, which as usual, did excellently, and General French re ports that the horse artillery batter ies did great execution among the enomv. "Our casualties were about fifty. I regret to say that Lieutenant Kess wlck was killed and Lieutenant Bal ley was severely wounded, both of the Twelfth Lancers. Lieutenant De Creshlgny, of the Second Life Guards, was severely wounded. Generals Dewet and Delarry com manded the Uoer forces." Osfonteln, March 7. Iord Roberts' force advanced early this morning. General French turned the southern part of the position of the Boers, who fled Incontinently leaving a gun, Im mense quantities of forage and their tents. He Is now in pursuit. The Boers on the north bank are also evacuating the position. Cronje's Losses, London, March 7. A despatch to the Times from Osfonteln, dated Tuesday, March 0, says: "A command of 3,000 Boers has of fered to surrender, but on Impossible Uriu. "General Cronje's losses were great er than ho admitted. Sixty bodies of Boers have been found In one grave. MANIFESTATIONS OF LOYALTY. The Queen Has Not Been So Conspic uous Since the Diamond Jubilee. London, March 7. At no other time since the diamond Jubilee has the queen been so conspicuous an object In tile public mind as she Is tonight. This promises to be even more strikingly the case tomorrow. Her majesty's visit to London for a drive in semi-state from Paddlnnton Station to Bucking ham palace would be sufficient In Itself to create great public manifestations of loyally, but the announcement that she will go from Buckingham to St. Pauls and will drive thence from Hol born and Piccadilly to St. James, syn chronizing with the new success of Lord Roberts, is bound to make tomor row a gala day In tho annals of Lon don. Beyond all this Is the announcement of the queen's Intention to visit Ireland for tho first time, It Is said, since tho death of the prince consort. This Is re garded as the most remarkable act of the queen's life. No minister of thu crown has ever dared to suggest such n remarkable undertaking. 'The trip," said a well Informed of ficial this evening, "Is the spontaneous suggestion of the queen alone, and tho enthusiasm it is expected to create can scarcely bo estimated. It is a won derful proof of her majesty's Intense devotion to her people, and her sacri fice In making the trip at such a sea son of the year Is renewed evidence of the keenness of her mind In select ing the proper act at the proper time." Dublin, March 7. Karl C'ldogun an nounced th? queen's Intended visit this evening at the drawing rooms. The news has been tuk graphed by tho var ious now agencies and vas already known throughout tho court, causing much good feeling. Iter majesty's visit vill be of a pri vate character, such as she is in thu habit of making periodically to tin smith of France. It will probably ex tend for mote than a fortnight. Ilsr last visit was In 1S61. PURE FOOD AND v DRUG CONGRESS Third Annual Session Held at Wash ii Rtcn Secretary of Agriculture Delivers the Main Address. "Washington, March 7. The 'bird an nual rcssion of the Pure Fund and Drug congress began hero today, Joseph K. Hlackburn, food and dairy commissioner of Cleveland, Ohio, call ing tho meeting to older. The secretary of agriculture delivered tho main address of tho day, saying os of the day, saying chosen rival temporary chairmen. At t be taken by the food the opening of the convention one tem of common honesty and ! porary chairman, McDonald, ascended the question to congress Is one that the man who sells an article dif ferent from what It. put ports to be is :i common thief. As a lesult of an In vestigation by an agent of his depart ment, he added, he was informed that the line beef sold In tho English mar kets as English beef was killed In tho western part of the Vnlled States and shipped In cold Htoragc arioso the con tlnent and then across tho Atlantic. "This," ho added, "is the tine beef of which England boasts. Uncle Sam now feeds his soldier:) In the Philip pines In the same manlier and on the same fine beef, while Tommy MkliT In tho Transvaal must be content with the canned beef from Chicago." After speaking of tho detriment to export trade through unscrupulous adulteration. Secretary WlUoti de clared his belief that the people are growing better and that the law muk cis are cleaner than they 'f-d to lie. The senators and representative, he added, ate nowadays e.iioful of their habits because tho people at home are more careful with their votes. Tho homes must bo protected, tho honest dealers must be protected and the ras cals must be punished. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture r.rlgham told of the efforts of tho de partment to have food law violators punished. The advocates of pure food, ho declared, should get together and agree upon the general terms of some measure to be passed by tho national congress, Representatives Brosius, Lattliuev and Clark spoke In favor of the pure food reforms. COULD NOT MAKE PEACE. A Stop-the-Wnr Meeting in Edin burgh Proved a Starter. Edinburgh, March 7. A "stop-the-war" meeting, admission to which was regulated bv ticket, was held In this city this evening. Long before the hour llxed, university students secured possession of the hall. It is alleged that several hundred gained entrance by counterfeit tickets and the audi ence was so unruly that the doors were barricaded Inside and outside. James Kolr Hordle, chairman of tho Independent uabor party and editor of the Labor Leader, endeavored to speak, but all to no purpose. Finally he announced that the principal speak er, Mr. Cronweygh-Sclirolner. was outside. The meeting was thereupon aban doned by the promoters and a rush wus made for the platform. The police used their batons and a free fight en sued. Numerous arrests were made. A gentleman, whose identity has not been established, was severely handled outside the hall by the crowd, under the Impression that he was Mr. Cron-weygh-Sclu finer. He fainted, fell, nnd was trampled upon. Ultimately -o was rescued Insensible by tho police. The students finished the anti-peace demonstration by parading through the principal streets. More Tax on Bogus Butter, Washington, March ". The dairy Inter est a of thf country had u hearing todt.y before the bouse committee on usiicul turo on tho till of Representative Grout. of Vermont, for a 10-eent tax per pound on mutation butter and giving slates an thoilty over tills butter even when brought from other states. Ex-Governor Hoard, of Wisconsin, president of the Nu Hoanl Dairy Association and Fnrmeis" National congress, and H. C. Adams, dairy nnd food commissioner of Wiscon sin, were neurd In favor of t,ho bill. Plague in South America, Ilucnos Ajros, March ". A number of cases of what Is supposed to bo tho bu. b'inic plague, have been officially reported. Urgent measures are being adopted to prevent the spread of tho disease. SENATOR LODGE OK PHILIPPINES MARKED COMPLIMENT PAID MASSACHUSETTS ORATOR. Thoughtful Utterances Upon the Important Question Are Listened to with Close Attention by Every Member Present and by Large Numbers in the Galleries The Speaker Overwhelmed with Con gratulations. Washington, March 7. The senate seldom accords to any of Its members a greater compliment than it gave to day to Mr. Lodge, of Massachusetts. The announcement that ho would de liver a speech on the Philippine ques tion drew to the senate everv denatur now In the city, nnd, to tho pillories in unusually large number of auditor?. Throughout the delivery of the .peeoh, despite the fact that It consumed three hours, the Massachusetts senator was given close attention. Keen Interest was aroused by the utterances, not only because of the oratorical ability of Mr. Lodge, but also because, as chairman of the Philippine committee and n. moinlnent member on the com mittee on foreign relations who had studied tho foreign matters, he was prepated to prenent a notable addition to the literature of tho great problem which now confronts congress and th? administration. Mr. Lodge's speech was based upon the bill Introduced by Mr. Spooner (Wis.), vesting In the president authority to govern the Phil ippines until congress should otherwise provide by legislation. Neither his collcanues in the senate nor his other auditors were disappoint ed In his address. When he had concluded, he was over whelmed with congratulations from both sides of the chamber. Soon after Mr. Lodge had concluded the senate adjourned In respect to tho mrmury of the late Representative llanncr, of Pennsylvania. TROUBLE AT WACO. Expected Split in the Republican Ticket Occurs. Waco. Tex.. March 7. The long ex pected split In the Republican Hiuic convention developed at tho opening of the second day's session of that bodv today. The waning factions had the platform to call the body .to orn-sr and was Lonf touted by Ferguson, who also claimed to be temporary chair man. At this juncture no of the wildest scenes ever witnessed In a Texas con vention occurred and fist fights wcr.s numerous. McDonald refused In yield the gavel to bis opponent and tried for some time to call the body to cider, but without avail. The expected bolt then came. Ferguson ami his follow ers refused to accept .McDonald as chairman, and aft,"!' the two boiles had tried for a long time to. go ahead with business quiet was restored by the action of McDonald In adjourning the convention to meet at 1 o'clock. Ferguson and his followers remained In session nt the auditorium. Immediately after the McDonald con vention adjourned the Ferguson fac tion, the nntl-Grecnltes, were called to order by Henry Ferguson amid tu multuous applause. The convention then effected tem poral y organization and agreed not to adjourn until their work was finished. Walter Burns, of Houston, was chos en temporary chairman. After the election of officers and the appointment of committees the fol lowing were elected delegates at large to the Republican national conven tion: R. B. Hawley, Galveston: II. II. Green. Henry Ferguson (colored), Houston; and George IS. Jackson (col ored), San Anscieo. The platfoim was unanlmusly adopted and endorses the St. Louis platform and tho McKlnley adminis tration. The convention then ad journed sine die. Thirty minutes after the Feiguson convention iidiourned the McDonald war called to order. A Platform was adopted reallirnilng the St. Louis plat form and endorsing President McKln ley and the present administration. The following were chosen delegates-at-large to the national convention: K. H. R. Green. R. B. Hawley, William McDonald and M. M. Ro.lgers. The convention udjourned. MONEY FOR PUERTO RICO. Senate Committee Authorizes Favor able Report on House Bill. Washington, March 7. Tho Fenato committee on appropriations today au thorized n favorable report on thu houso hill providing that thu revenue collected from Puerto Rico be expend ed In that Island. The bill was amended so a to In clude only the money collected to Jan uary 1, 1000. Tho clause of tho houso bill authorizing the refunding of futuro revenue collections was strliken out. PENSION FOR EX-QUEEN "LIL." Senate. Committee Propcces to Pay Her $10,000 a Year. Washington, Mnrch 7. The senate committee on foreign lelatlons author ized the reporting of nn amendment to tho diplomatic appropriation bill, ap propriating $W.CC0 to bo paid to ex Queen Lllluoknlnnl, and providing for an annual donation of $10,00 to her as long as she may live-. - m ii. Mlner3 Get an Increase. Sharon. Pa., March 7. Tim coal miners employed at tho Hickory Coal company's mines In this county have been granted an Increase In wanes of 6 cents iter ton after a three days' strike. The coal dig. gcr.s In the adjoining mines are still out for an Increase of S cents per ton. Mrs. Lawton Visits Mrs. McKlnley. Washington,. March 7.-Mrs. Lawton. widow of General -Lawton. accompanied by Adjutant fJeneral Corhln, called on President uml Mrs, McKlnley this after-noon. DAMAGE FROM FLOODS-. Hundreds of Acres Submerged in Ohio. Cleveland, March 7. Telegrams from various points In Northern Ohio today Indicate that great damage Is being done by floods. At Fremont the Sandusky river has overflowed Its banks and submerged tho lower part of the town. Cellars of (business house a're tilling with water, and many factories have been com pelled to shut down. At Warrwi the Mahoning river has reached the dan ger point and tho lower part of tho town Is flooded. Much damage' has resulted at Massallou, owing to the Tttsearowas river overflowing Its banks. The Grand liver nt Palnesvlllo Is out of Its banks and a sellout! flood Is feared. The bridge of the Sandusky, Milan and Norwalk Electric road at Milan has been washed away and much other damage done. Hockey river is on n rampage at L'ora, where 200 acres are submerged and the water Is still rising. The stone quanlcs of the Cleveland Stone company and the pumping sta tion are covered with water, entailing heavy losses. MAINE HOSPITAL FUND. Mr. White Calls Attention to the Fact That a Hospital Ship Can not be of Service to the Boers. Washington, March 7. Mr. Montagu White, representative of the Transvaal In the T'nlted Stntes, today author ized the following Interview: "My attention has been drawn to the appeal for funds Issued by the com mittee of the American hospital ship Mulne. I have not the slightest wish to check the generosity of those who are desirous of relieving the Bi Itlsh sick and wounded In South Africa, but though It may seem somewhat super fluous. I feel It my duty to point out that as the Uoer lines are some three to live hundred miles inland, the suf fering Boers are not In the least likely to profit by the charity of tho Maine, even supposing that those responsible for the undertaking really desire to extend their care to the Republican belllRcrents. 1 therefore feel com piled to requite nil those who are anxious to assist the Boers' sick and wounded, their widows and orphans, to send their subscriptions to mo or any of the properly constituted or ganizations which are collecting money for that purpose." THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS. A Few Things That Are Wanted by Debs nnd His Party. Indianapolis, Ind., March 7. The so cial Democratic national convention tonight adopted the following platform on motion of Kugene V. Delis: First Revision of our antiquated fed eral constitution In order to rcmoru the obstacles tu full and complete control of government by all the people, Irrespective of sex. Second The public ownership of all In dustries eontiollcd by monopolies, trusts and combines. Third The public ownership of all rall I'txids, telegraph, telephone and all means of transportation, communication, water works, gas nnrl electric plants and other public utlllMos. Fourth Tho public ownership of all Kold, silver, copper, lead, Iron, coul and other mines, nlro oil and r.is wells. Fifth Reduction of the hours of labor In proportion to the increasing facilities of production. Sixth The inauguration of a system of public wotks and Improvements for the employment of a inrgo number of unem ployed. Seventh All useful Inventions to be free to all, thu Inventor to bo itmuncr ated by the public. Eighth Labor leglMutlon to bo miido national instead of local, nnd interna tional where possible. Ninth National Insurance of working people against acclilents, lack of em ployment and want In old age. Tenth Kquul civil and political rlnhts for men and women and the abolition of nil laws discriminating against women. Eleventh The adoption of tho initiative and referendum and the right to the re call of representative by the voter?. Twelfth Abolition of war as far as the United Statis are concerned and tho in troduction of International arbitration la stead. The committee mi resolutions report ed appioval of a resolution condemning tho establishment of mllltuiism In Puerto Rico and the commission of capitalists to deprive Puerto Rlcans of the franchise. m Killed by Iron Pipe. Now York. March ".A bundle of Iron pipe which tell from the window of the sixth floor of the rear of II. C. F. Kock & Co.'s department store on West Ono Hundred and Twenty-fourth street, today struck two men who were unloading a truck at the curbstone below. They re ceived injuries frsm which they died within a short time. The dead men wire Walter Walsh, u dlivet. nid his helper, ("Jeorgii Connors, both living In Mott Haven. Gift from Miss Gould. New York, March 7. Tho Bvenlng World today asserts that It has informa tion that Miss Helen Gould Is tha donor of the J100.O00 for tho erection of a "Hall of Fame" In connection with the univer sity of New York. An attempt to ob. tain a confirmation of the report elicited from Miss Gould and Chancellor Mc cracken, of tho university, only non committal tcsponses. Tho conditions of tho gift were that the Identity shall not be disclosed. Soldiers Buried at Arlington. Washington, March 7. Tho remains of sixty-six soldiers who died In Cuba were burled at Arlington cemetery today with military honors. Tho bodies of &T0 sol diers who died In Cuba now rest In this historical npot. The officers at Fort Meyer had charge of tho services which were very simple. A Protestant and Catholic clergyman read the burial ser vice, taps were sounded and n volley lue-d over tho graves. In Honor of Irish Soldiers. London, Match ".An army order Is ucd today, announces that tho queen has ordortd that !n future, on rit. Pat rick' day. all ranks, In her Irish resl incuts shall wear u ndlstlnctlon a sprig of shamrock In their hond dress, to com memorate the gallantry of her Irish sol illeis in tho recent battles in South Africa. HONORING MEMORY OF MR. HARMER DEATH OF FATHER OF THE HOUSE CAUSES DEEP OLOOM. Remarks Made in the House on the Announcement of His Death. Sketch of a Continuous Service of Many Years Recognized as "Father of tho House" for Many Admirable Qualities as Well as for Long Term of Service. Washington, March 7. The death of Representative Harmer, of Pennsylva nia, the "father of the house," cost a deep gloom over the house today. Al though he was known to have been In feeble health, his death came as a shock to his colleagues, by whom he was universally beloved, Mr. Harmer was the oldest member of the house both In length of service nnd in con tinuous service-, and was therefore en titled to the distinction of tho "father of the house." His death makes General Henry Bingham, of Pennsylvania, tho "father of the house." He began his service in the Forty-sixth congress nnd has served continuously for twenty years. Both In length and priority of service Mr. Bingham Is exceeded by Mr. Can non, of Illinois, chairman of the appro priation committee, who was elected to the Fortv-thlrd congress and who is serving his thirteenth term, but his term was not continuous, he having fniled of re-election In the Fifty-second congress. , In point of priority of service Mr. Grow, of Pennsylvania, the venerable ex-speaker. Is the oldest member. He first came to congress In 1851, but there was n long hiatus In his service from ISiCI to ISM. The distinction of "father of the house" belongs to him 'who has served longest In continuous service. Mr. Banner's desk was draped In black and covered with flowers. Tile blind chaplain In his Invocation referred feelingly to the death of Mr. Harmer lind the loss the house and the country had .sustained. Mr. Bingham, in announcing the death of Mr. Harmer. said he was of light recognized as the "father of the house." but he was more than that, he was the father of the house In the af fection and high regard In which he was held by the members of this body. Mr. Harmer was born In 182.'. in Gcr mantown, now a part of Philadelphia. He died In the same community In which he was born, and among tho people who, for more than half a cen tury, loved and honored him personally, and held him In such high esteem nnd confidence that only death could sever their close relations. One of a Marked Group. He was one of a iva.-ked group of four men whom tho city of Philadel phia sent to the Ameiictin congress men most exceptional In their useful ness and years of service to the people of their own homo constituencies, as well as to their state and nation. I desire, before offering tho rvsolullons, which I shall send to tho clerk's desk, to group together the nam? of those four members whose record toilay be longs to the- wholo country, and for whoso memory the people of Philadel phia have especial affection. Judge W. V. Kelley, who was electe-d to flflien coneresscs and who served twnty-nlne years: Charles O'Nell, whs was elected to fifteen e-ongresses ami who served twenty-nine years; Samuel J. Randall, who was elected to fourteen e-ongrcsfes and who served twopy-swn years, and our colleague, Juat deceased, Mi. Harmer, who likewise was idected to fourteen congressesoiul served twunty seven years. In all 112 years of aervlce has bcen given by thew four distin guished dead, a record unparallellcd n the history of the country. At tho conclusion of hW ) (.marks Mr. Bingham offered tho customary resolu tions of rcgrcat unO for tho appoint ment of a commlttio of fifteen to at tend the funeral. The speaker appoint ed the following commute.;: Messrs. Bingham, Adams. Young. McAlery. Dalsrell, liroslus, Wanger and RutL-r, of Pennsylvania; Jseteham, of New York; McCleary, of Minnesota: Bab cock, of Wisconsin: Richardson, of Tennessee' Catching, of. Mississippi: Terry, of Arkansas, ami Fitugornld, of Massachusetts. As a further mark of respect tho house then adjourned. TUBE COMPANY RAISES WAGES. Four Thousand Men Receive In crease of Ten Per Cent, Pittsburg, March 7. Four thousand employes of the National Tube com pany at McKeesport, Pa., were today notified of a ten per cent, ndvance in wages. The Increase affects all day laborers In tho tuba mills. The tonnage men will get their ad vance next week, when the rato is fixed by the Amalgamated association. This Is the second Increase of ten per cent, tho day men of the National Tube com pany have received within six months, and makes the wages of common labor higher than nt any time In tho history of the works. The advance will date from April 1. m Coal Rates Advanced. Pittsburg, March 7. The Western Pennsylvania nnd Eastern Ohio Traffic association met hero today and advanced coal rates, effective Marcli 21, 10 cents per ton, making the rate from Pittsburg to the lake SO cents; from Ohio coul fields to tho lakes, 77!s cents; und from Vir ginia, hilt cents. Theso rates maintain Inst season's differentials. Uuffnlo, Ro chester und Pittsburg Railroad company was represented at this mi-etlng, being Its first time In the association. Samoan Arbitration. Washington. Marcli 7. The ratifications of tho Samoan arbitration treaty wcro exchanged tit the Htute department at 3 o'clock this afternoon by Secretary Hay for tho United Stutos, Lord Pnuucofoto for Great Britain, and Dr. Golienfcen for Germany. Tho treaty submits the claim to arbitration of King Osi-nr of Sweden. Plague Increases, Calcutta, Murch ". The bubonic plnguc increases, there having been 411 deaths from the disease lino hist week. This Is causir.g a grcut exodus of merchants. THE NEWS THIS MORN IN U Weather Indication! Todayi PAIR. 1 General Hocrs Suffer Another Defeat. Three-Score Lives Lost In West Vir ginia Mine Disaster. Day'H Work of tho National Law Makers. Berator Lodge on the Philippines. 2 General Northeastern Pennsylvania. Financial and Commercial. 3 Local Theatrical Gossip. i Kdltorial. News and Con.mcnt. E Oeneral Andrew Carnegie and Henry l'rlck. S Local W. V. P. Thome on the Pro poseel New Railroad. One Day's Work of the Courts. 7 Local Explosion In Mt. Pleasant Mine Seriously Injures Three Men. Board of health Lacked a Quorum. S Local West Scranton and Suburban. 9 Round About tho Cltv. 10 Local Live Industrial News. MR. PAYNE DISCUSSES PUERTO RICO TARIFF A Calamity to Have the Status of Puerto Rico, Cuba or the Philip pines Made Such as Would Entitle Them to Admission as States. lTllMnillrnn Alnrv.Vi '. Tl.-ttirtr f Payne, member of tho Republican na tional committee rrom Wisconsin, saut today In regard to his views for a tariff for Puerto Rico: Looking to the future welfare of the republic, I consider It would bo a rnlam Ity to have the status of Puerto Rico, Cuba or tho Philippine Islands madn such us would give them later on rights which would entitle them to admission as states nto this 1'nlon. . This question should have the most careful, thoughtful and statesnianllkn consideration. Tho bill pending gives time for ample study of tho question. Let us not make hasto to scttlo Irrevocably a question which may be -of most vital Import to our people in tho future. There Is no class of people so much Interested us the working classes. If free trade Is established with the Islands, they will nt onco become competitors with almost tho cheapest labor known in tho world. Is that condition de-slrnbte" Do our working people elextrn full and unlimited competition with the masses of Puerto Rico. Cuba nnd the Philippines? Calm, dispassionate discussion of thi whole subject Is In onler. A mlstnko made now may cost us dear later. Tho provisions of the bill are operative hut for two years and In that time we may realize better tho problems before us. The people who are to pay this slight tax levied for the benetit of the masses of people of Puerto Rh'o, are particu larly sugar and tobacco trusts. If no tax at all Is levied they would be able to buy thes.-1 materials free of any tax and the sugar and tobacco raiser In this country will suffer by reason of this competition with almost the cheapest labor known in tho world. In what more easy or equitable manner con rPllef bo given to the people of Puerto Rico? - THE SIMPSON CASE. Mr. DeHuff Decides to Leave His Sister in the Hospital. Pittsburg, Pa March 7. Hlrani De Huff, brother of Mrs. Simpson, returned to his home nt Huntingdon today to consult his relatives about what further course should bo pursued in the mat ter of Mrs. Slmoson's alleged Insanity und Incarceration In the hospital at Dlxmont. DeHuff said today that the hospital authorities told him that Mrs. Simpson was In such bad physical and mental condition that It would not ha possible to remove her at present. He called on several attorneys, who ad vised him to bring habeas corpus pro ceedings If he thought his sister Is not Insane, but he dropped this plan, for the present at least. Annie Simpson, of Philadelphia, a sister-in-law of Mrs. Sinioson, who came here to make Inquiry about the latter's condition, is still In Pltts-burg. DeHuff wus told at tho Dlxmont hos pital that Mrs. Sinioson is now being properly cared for as a paid patient. She was taken to tho hospital on the certificate of two physicians. HIGHEST RATE EVER PAID. Fairmont Miners Receive an In- crease in Their Wages. Fairmont, W. Va,. Marcli 7. The operators of this region are going to make another advance of five cents in the mining rate, tu take effect April J. This will make the third Increase granted within the past six months. Tho three advances aggregate ten cents, all of which have been volun tary on the part of the-operators. The advance to bo granted will make tho rnto In this region forty-five cents for run-of-mlne coal, which Is the highest rate ever paid here. The aggregate advance Is far better for the minors here than the advance of fourteen cents for screened coal, which will be In effect April I In West ern Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Steamship Arrivals. New York. Mnrch 7. Arrived: KaUer Wilhelm Der Grosse, from Bremen: Bor deaux, from Havre; Bremen, from Bre men. Sailed: New York, for Southampton; Southwark, for Antwerp; ilcnnanla, for Liverpool, eieared: La Champagne, for Havre; tVvic, for Liverpool, Southamp ton Sailed: Lnhn. from Bremen for New York. QucenstownAi rived: Teu tonic, from New York for Liverpool and proceeded. New Brick Combination. Pittsburg. March 7. A ww brick com bination was formed here today with State fcVnator William Flyrn ns the prime mover. It Is said that cIkIHcch out of tho twenty-four brick muklnp. concerns In western Pennsylvania have Joined In tho movement. A charter bus been ap plied for the company, which will bo e-ap-Italized at $3,nno,C00 and liavi a capacity of 00,000,000 of brick a year. Gray Invlnclbles" Not Invincible, llarrlsbuig, March 7, An order was Is. stied from National Guard headquarter today ordering tho muster out of thu uiay Invlnclbles, of Philadelphia, the only er. ganlzatlon of colored troops In the guard, because It Is Inefficient and In un unsat isfactory condition and had lieen recom mended for dlbbnnuinent by tho Inspector, THE MINE DISASTER From Fifty to Sixty Lives Lost at Fire Creek. THE VARIOUS ESTIMATES Most Conservative Calculation Puts the Number of Fatalities at Fifty two Others Insist That Sixty ta Seventy Kavo Perished Tho WorM of Aasouo Continues Night and Day, Though It Is Certain That All in the xline Are Dead Tha Story of the Only Known Survivor. Fire Creek, W. Va March T. Tha rescuing parties continued working; hnrd nt tho Red Ash mine today in removing the debris and securing tho bodies of tho victims of the explosion of yc3terday. The scenes of distress umong thoso hunting friends are still as appalling; as yesteiduy. The work at the mlni continues night andNday. and it la still Impossible to give tho exact number of victims or to identify all of the bodies that have ben recovered. The most conservative estimate of some of those connected with the mine nlaces tho number of killed at fifty-two and thern are others who insist that tho number, of victims will reach sixty. Six morrt bodies were recovered this morning. A' report was made at the mine durlns tho afternoon that the total number recovered wns twenty-one, of whom fifteen are dead1, one fatally Injured andflve others seriously hurt. A report from the rescuers at tho mine after S o'clock tonight was that thirty-four had been taken out, twenty nine being dead and five seriously In juied. Thove rescued alive are known as Carl Daly, Joseph KUlot, .fnmes Kane and Hnrry Dawson. While tho surviving miners nnd others estimate, that there are at least thirty-nine miners still entombed, General Man ager Howell says there am still In the mine only thirty. The estimate of tho latter would Indicate that there wpro seventy killed and five Injured, and It Is conceded that all of those still In the mine are dead. None of the mines In this district am yet working and thousands of people visited the Hcene of the Red Asli disas ter today. Some of the dead bodies) have been shipped to the former homes of the victims. Many funerals were held today uml many will be held tomorrow. No defi nite cause for the explosion has yet been learned by Governor Atkinson or tho state nnd district mine Inspec tors and others who are invest Igatlnir the case. In addition to the theories of dust, fire damp, etc.. It was claimed tonight that natural gas had escaped Into the mine and that It Ignited when the miners entered yesterday mornlns with their lighted lamps. The work of rescuing p-ntles Is retarded by hot air, and It Is thought tho mine is on lire. Air Is being pumped into the mlnei by compression. It will probably bo several 'days before all the bodies can I be recovered, as they are scattered along for almost a nine unaer inn ground, and it will require much tlmo to clear the debris from this long sub terranean course. , The Only Survivor. The only person who entered th-i mine and who Is known to have es caped allvo Is Klectrlcian Evans, who was near the entrance. In relating hta experience Mr. Evans said: "I heard a low rumbling sound, slm liar to an earthquake. I realized In an Instant that fire damp had ex ploded, and before tho force of tho concussion reached me, I threw my self down on my face. A sheet of flame, rock and debris eshot over my head. "I mannged to creep to tho mouth and Into the fresh air. My God. It was awful. I saw that I was the only, one left. Every one of the other fel lows was lost, I knew." A pathetic feature of the disaster Is tho annihilation of the family of B. B. Long, fire boss. His wife died somo time ago, leaving to his sole caro tw little boys. Having no one to stay within their uesolate home, the boys begged to go with their father Into tho mine to" spend tho day with him. Ho consented, and when the search is fin ished their blackened little bodies will bo found beside that of the father. The unexplained cause of tho acci dent his terrified miners In adjoining localities. Very many are afraid to go to work today, and it will require the most searching Inspection by com petent men to remove their fears and Induce them to return to their places. Loan Bill Passed. London. March 7. In the houso of com mons today, on tho the passing the first rending of the loan bill of 35,000,000, Timothy Henly. Nationalist member from North Louth, gave notice that he would move nn amendment nt the second read ing of tho bill extending the measure so that all self-governing colonies "who were so keen In eontrlbutlng men would also bear the bullion of the war loan." Tho Coal Fleet Sails. Pittsburg, March 7. About l.mcjV) bushels of coal started for southern ports today. All of this coal Is billed for Louis ville and Now Orleuns, Cincinnati nnd points above tiro well stocked at present. An l-foot staso of water Is looked for tomorrow when r.ll tho coal now load?d In tho harbor will be shipped south, - m i f-f-f-f-f-f -. WEATHER FORECAST, Washington, March 7, Forecast for Thursday and Friday: For eastern Pennivant:i, fair Thurs day and Friday: warmer Friday: light to frclf north to enst winds, 4- ttttttttttttt J " J lV ,-c . - i-- .-.i- ". h , t L
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