?-t '"-SKW ff.WWi.n-- ..JB...rf-rfvJ-f" ; 'w-w:- " "U'" a .-VwiijtapM: t ribufc 1 RKMR DNT.V KPRANTON PAPER RECEIVING THE COMPLETE NEWS SERVICE OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. THE GREATEST NEWS AGENCY IN THE WORLD TWO GENTS. TWELVE PAGES SCKAOTON, FA., SA1THDAY MOhmXI, FEMUrAlY :l, :U)02. TWELVE PAGES TWO CENTS. vxl S .rfthi BIDDLE BROTHERS AR :E fittsburo Aiiirderers Riddled with Bullets and Secured Alter a Desperate Battle. MRS. SOFFBt IS ALSO WOUNDED iTho Themes of Lurid Eictlon Sur passed by, Incidents That Follow tho Escape of the Desperadoes Who Were Liberated by tho Jail War den's Wife The Desperate Trio, Ed. and John Diddle and Mrs. Soffel, Are Overhauled Near Dutler by Eight Officers Armed with Re volvers and Winchesters The Bid dies Open Eire on the Officers and the Eusllade Is Continued Until Both of the Brothers Are Badly Wounded Mrs. Soffel Attempts Suicide at the Fall of Ed. Biddle. By Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press. Pittsburg, Jan. 31. A telegram from Dutler tonight says: "Edward Diddle Is In jail dying, John Diddle, riddled with buckshot and in prcrai'Ious condition and Mrs. Peter K. Soffel lying In tho hospital with a self-Inflicted bullet wound in the breast, is the sequel of tho sensational escape of the Kiddle brothers from the Allegheny county jail, aided by Mrs. Soffell, the wife of the jail warden, on Thursday morning. The scene of the shooting was a snow covered road two miles east of Pros pect, Dutler county, near Mount Chest nut and the exact place was at Mc Clure's barn, where two double team sleighs, filled with eight officers, three of them Pittsburg detectives, John Roach, Albert Swlnehard and Charles ,McCovorn met the two Biddies In a one horse sleigh, stolen at Perrysvllle and at once opened fire on the trio. Tho Biddies returned tho fire, after jumping out of the sleigh. Mrs. Soffel was shot through the breast. Kdward Biddle was shot In. the left arm, in the breast and In one leg. John Diddle was riddled with buck shot in the breast and head. The Pittsburg officers were met at Dutler this afternoon by Deputy Sher iffs Itainoy and lloon, and Officers Frank Holleday and Aaron Thomp son, tho latter under command of Chief of Police Robert Ray, of Dutler. The officers were certain that they were on the right trail. It was only a question of time when they would catch up to the escaping condemned murderers and their guilty companion. The Diddles and Mrs. Soffel ate din ner at J, J. Stephens, at Mount Chest nut, five miles east of Dutler. They had made a detour of tho town of Dut $ ler and after going several miles east turned north and then west. Tho Pitts burg officers, only a few miles In the rear look the wrong road for about eight miles, but when they found their mistake they made up for lost time by telephoning and telegraphing ahead for fresh horses. The Chase for Life. They reached Mount Chestnut not less than half an hour after the Dlddbs and Mrs. Soffel. At this point AVililam Watson, storekeeper, had fresh horses awaiting them, and the chase for life began anew. Tho two sleighs, with the eight offi cers aboard, started westward and met the Middles and Mrs. Soifol at Mo Ciuro's barn, two miles from Mount Prospect. Tho Diddles, having learned that they wen: almost overtaken and taking .what they considered the only chance they had, drove eastward and met their doom. Tho officers wern armed with Win chester rlllts and revolvers of largo callbns They shot to kill and their aim was perfect. The Middles tiled to kill to the lust of their string, but not one of the nlghl officers has a woum! as tho result of tho battle. When tlm detectives sot to within about slMy yards vf tho fugitives they opened fire. The Diddles promptly an swered with shotguns and revolvers. AVhen Kil Diddle fell and Mrs. Soffel saw she was about to be' captured, she fired a bullet Into her breast, An examination by physlchuis shows that she will recover, as the bullet was deflected by her corset and the wound Is comparatively slight. Kd Diddle got n bullet lu the breast, which penetrated his right lung und will probably end his llfo before morn ing. John Diddle may recover, his wounds, though numerous, falling to reach a vital spot. The escupo of tho officers Is miraculous. Tho Diddles have demonstrated on several occasions CAPTURED -- that they are good marksmen, and why they should have failed today to bring down their men Is a mystery. After the Diddles foil to the snow covered ground, tho officer picked up tho apparently lifeless bodies of Mrs. Soffel and the Diddles and came back to Dutler, bringing the stolen sleigh, patched up harness and worn out horse that the trio had tried so strenuously to get away with toward Canada und liberty. Story of the Battle. The story of the fight, as told by one of the detectives, Is as follows: "The Biddies were sitting on tho right side of the cutter. Mrs. Soffel was on the left side. 'Hold up your hands and surrender!' cried Detective McCiovern. Kd. Biddle jumped up from his seat and raising a shot gun fired it at McGovern.. He aimed badly and the shot scattered on the road along side of McGovern. "Detectives McGovern and .Roach discharged their Winchesters at Ed. Diddle. Both shots took effect. Jack Biddle raised from the sent and dis charged his revolver at the three offi cers. Detective Swlnehart steadied himself and fired his 45-C'olt's revolver at Jack. The ball took effect In Jack's arm. The detectives opened fire on the boys In rapid successsion then. "Tho shots knocked them out of the sleigh. Ed. tell sprawling on the snow and Jack fell on top of him. Their firearms fell alongside of them. Tho Diddles' horse then became fright ened and ran away across a field. It was at this time that. Mrs. Soffel was seen to collapse In the sleigh. "The detectives approached the wounded men and Detective Swlnehart. was rushing in on thcni, when De tective McGovern called on him to stay back, that the Biddies were only feigning. Detective Roach saw Ed. Diddle reach in his coat pocket as If for a gun and the detective shot him again. Then Detective McGovern rati up within five feet of the boys and emptied his Winchester into them. The Diddles then yielded. "After the Diddles yielded, Detec tives Roach and McGovern handcuffed their hands and feet and they were taken to Dutler. "Mrs. Soffel, wl.u illen from the sleigh when Hi ran away, was picked up and i . .-.d in the de tectives' large sleigh with her com panions and taken to the hospital at Butler." Ed. Biddle's Statement. At the jail tonight Ed. Diddle called for a priest and made the following statement: "1 have been accused of a great many serious crimes. I admit that f could have committed many, the op portunities for them having presented themselves. I want to say now that I did not kill Detective Fitzgerald nor did I shoot Thomas Kahney nor was my brother Implicated in the hitter af fair. Mrs. Soffel aided us in getting out of tiie county jail and had It not been for her we would have made our escape today. She gave up everything for us and f was bound to back her up. 1 did not shoot her. "She shot herself. ' Oh, father bless me and tell mo that my sins are for given. "Although t have been pictured to you as a desperate man,' 1 still have some heart and gratitude for the wom an who helped us to escape. She mere ly did It out of good sympathy and feeling for us. 1 persuaded her to do It. 1 told her I .was guiltless of the crime for which I was about to be executed and she was impressed and yielded to my suggestion. I planned It all." Looking up ho saw several reporters and recognized them as the men who hail reported all his nefarious crimes for which he was tried. "You blackguards, you are the cause of the bitter feeling that has been en gendered against Aus. You created tho public sentiment against us. Are you sorry? You are not'.' You nro too heartless." At this point Diddle showed signs of collapse and made a feeble effort to signal the priest. Father Walsh ad ministered the solemn last rites of the dying and Diddle .rolled over on his f.iee and sighed, lie was asked If ho wanted any word taken to his brother, and he shook his head, "No." Trail of the Fugitives. Tho tracking of the fugitives by. the detectives was ver.v complete. Early this morning the Pittsburg police were notified that a horse and Sleigh had been stolen Thursday morn ing from the barn of a Ferrysvllle far mer. Frequently during the day re ports were received at headquarters that two men and a. woman, tho de scription of which tallied wth the Did dles and Airs. Soffel, had been seen going through different towns along the route. From tho description furnished It wus clear to the police that they, were -the' fugitives, and detectives were (mniedl ately sent uftei them. Tito Uutlcr au thorities were at once notified and by telephoning to several smiill towns It was learned that the party hud turned awny from tho direct road Into Dutler and were going through the wooded country to the north of Duller. The Dutler officials at once went In tho direction In two good sleighs, pro vided with fast horses. They soon found they were on the trail of the fugitives, and f at 2 o'clock wired the Pittsburg police that they had learned they were only thirty minutes behind the sleigh, and that their horse was tired. From this time on It was only a ques tion of a short time until the capture was made. The entire party, officers and prison ers, are expected to arrive In this city some time tonight on a special train. Excitement here has been Intense nil day, and the pursuit and capture or the Diddles has been the burden of conver sation on tho streets and homes generally. MINE WORKERS AND COAL OPERATORS MEET President Mitchell Submits Eonnal Demands of Miners Mr. Kobblns Says Scale Is Nonsensical. By Kxcliuivc Wire from The Associated Prcsj. Indianapolis, Jan. 31. The joint con ference of miners and operators settled down to business this afternoon and by evening proceedings were well under way. The miners, through President Mitchell, presented their demand for an Increase in pay and for correcting abuses, and they were discussed at some length in open convention. Even In this short time, the Is&uos were clearly joined between the miners and operators. The scale committee, which will have to take up the discussion or the demands, was also appointed. After a short recess President Mitch ell, on behalf of the miners, asked that the operators offer their scale for the consideration of the convention. Mr. Bobbins, who acted as spokes man for the operators, said the oper ators had no scale to offer. He asked that the miners' demands be presented. President Mitchell then submitted the formal demands of the miners, which was as follows: 1. Th.it there bo a general adiancc of 10 per cent, on prices. 2. That an absolute run of mine system Lu adopted for all mines in the competitive llelil. 3. That there shall lie a uniform scale for all oulMde day lilior and eight hours shall constitute a day's work, 4. That thcic be a Mrdlsht differential of seven cents per ton between piik and machine mining. 5. That all driver' wage he Advanrid to iy per day and 10 per cent, added. 0. That no clause lie inserted in any contract nr joint agreement rcquiiing the employee to purchase powder f i out their employer. 7. That the check-off system lie adopted and agiocd to in all the competitive dlsttiets. Mr. Dobbins, In opposing the pro posed new scale, denied the increase in prices, declaring that they had de creased. Illinois operators had found that the run of mine system had low ered the quality of their coal and there fore the Pittsburg operators were op posed to this system. The question of cost is the fundamental one, he said, and the competition between the or ganized and unorganized states Is so keen that no Increase could be allowed. In conclusion, Mr. Dobbins declared: "You can never hope to accomplish what you ask for. This scale Is non sense, it Is nonsense to expect It. You do not, you can not expect It in the face of the facts." SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE Has Arrived in Washington on a Tour of Inspection Schools Vis ited Impressions Received. Special to tlic Scranton Tribune. AVashlngton, Jan. 31. Eight members of the Scranton board of school control arrived lu Washington today. They are on a tour of Inspection ot manual training schools In some of the large cities with a view of establishing a school at Scrnnton. The committee has been exceedingly busy since they left homo, and have already visited and inspected the schools at Hoboken. N. J., Brooklyn, Philadelphia. Wllming- ton and Washington. They seemed to , be most favorably Impressed with tho j schools In Philadelphia and will likely recommend the establishment of an i Institute along their lines. The party Is made up of Professor George Howell, K. D. Fellows, J. II. Phillips, Dennis J. Douche, A, L. Fran cols, Otto D. Schiiefcr, George Shires and I31las Kvans, After Inspecting tho schools here they visited 'the capital, congressional library and other places of Interest. They called lu a body on Congressman Council to pay their le spects. They will return tomorrow. President of common council, P. F. Calpln and Mrs. Calplit are lu Wash ington on their honeymoon, YALE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. David Boles, of Scranton, Is Made Secretary at Annual Election, lly KxtinMvu Who from Tho .Undated l'res. New Haven, Conn., Jan. 31. The an nual election of officers by the Yule Unlverslty Foot Ball association to night, resulted In the choice of Allan Fox, of Detroit, Mich., 191)3, as presi dent and manager, to success Charles D. Francis, Wi. Other officers choson were; A'lco president, R. M, Ingham, 1003, of Philadelphia uBslstunt mana ger, Homy I'hauueey Miller, 1901, of liloomlugburgh, N. Y,; secretary, Da vid Boles, I'JOl, of Scranton, Pa. The only contest was for tho posi tion of assistant manager, which of fice, by college custom, becomes next year's manager. President Francis reported that tlm total receipts for the season of. 1901 were Wi.088.32, und that the expendi tures reached $21,C3C23. leaving a bal ance on hand of J27.032.0U. The schedule of games for the next season will be announced In a feiv weeks. ' DUTCH NOTE The Suiiiiiianj Published bu the Associated Press Believed to Have Been Gorrect. CONTENTS KEPT SECRET. It Is Suggested That Boer Delegates Now in Europe Be Sent to Africa to Persuade the Burghers in the Field to Surrender The Liberte Prints a Despatch from Dr; Leyds Which Indicates Thnt There Is Still Fight in the Guerillas 6t tho Transvaal. By rjtclushe Wire from The Associated Press. London, Jan. 31. The Drltlsh reply to the Dutch note In regard to bringing about peace In South Africa was dis patched yesterday to The Hague. The contents of the note are kept strictly secret, as the first publication of the text is Intended to be made In parlia ment Monday, February 3. The Asso ciated Press has reason to believe, however, that Its original summary of the Dutch communication was correct, with this addition, that tho Dutch sug gested that Wessels, Wolmarans and Fischer, the Doer delegates now In Europe, be permitted to go to South Africa lu an endeavor to persuade the burghers In the field to surrender. The war secretary, Mr. Brodiick, In Introducing a supplementary army esti mates of 5,000,000 In the house of commons today said this brought the total of the cost of the wan- for the present year up to 01,000,000. On Jan uary 1, Mr. Brodrlck said there were still 237.S00 Drltlsh troops in South Africa. The expenses of the war had now been reduced to nbout 1,500,000 per month. Dr. Leyds Hopeful. Paris, Jan. 31. The Liberte prints a dispatch from Brussels today which says that Dr. Leyds, the European agent of the Doers, recently received a communication from General Botha dated only five weeks ago In which the Doer commander-in-chief not only does not alludo tr his alleged desire for peace, but dechucs the Doers are suffi ciently provisioned to continue tho struggle hopefully nnd that the situa tion in Cape Colony Is growing worse for the Drltlsh. The Temps" correspondent, in an In terview with Dr. Leyds and Mr. Fis cher at Brussels, regarding the powers of the Doer delegation In Europe, quotes them as saying: "We are duly accredited by our gov ernments and could begin negotiations at any moment, but we will do nothing decisive before consulting with the commanders and neither Ste.vn, nor Botha, nor any other lender will make a decision without conferring with us." Great Britain's reply is not in the nature of a direct negative, though It Is not unlikely that It will have that effect. AVhlle Lord Lansdowne prob ably leaves a loophole for further sug gestions, he doubts the ability of the Doer delegates to control their fellow countrymen, and there seems little like lihood that the Dutch government can secure guarantees, In legard to the powers of the Doer delegates, sufficient to Induce Great Britain to accede to the original request. .-... RESPITE FOR AARON HALL. Desperate Efforts to Save the Life of a Convicted Murderer. By Exclusive Wire from The Associated Pre. New York, Jan. 31. Aaron Ilnll, now confined In the death house In Sing Sing for the murder of Mamie Drani gan In a department store, and who was to bo electrocuted Monday morn ing next, was granted another res pite today, through the application of his counsel to the United States ch cult court. Attorneys Olcott and Abraham Levy made an application to Judge La coinbe for a writ of habeas corpus, but It was denied. Thecourt, however, al lowed an appeal, which will act as a stay until the appeal can bo beard by the United States Supreme court In AA'ashlngtou. It Is said that this ap peal will be based on tiie irregularity of the jury trying the case, HOWARD SLOAN SENTENCED. The Philadelphia Kidnapper Given Seven Years and Six Mouths. 11 Kuiusiie Wire from The Afioriatnt Press. Philadelphia, Jan, 31. Howard K. .Sloan, who pleaded guilty yesterday to robbing Mabel Kearns, alias Mabel Goodrich, was today sentenced by Judfjo Sulzberger to an imprisonment of seven years and six months, and to pay a line of S5U0. 1.), Knight FInley pleaded guilty of assisting lu the robbery of Mrs. Good rich and was sentenced to two years In the county prison. Henry Wallaco and Oscar Dunlap, who are charged with conspiring with Sloan and FInley will stand trial. FOUR GLOVE CONTESTS. By Exclusive Wlie fiomThe Aswvlatrd l'rc. 1'hllailclphlJ, Jan. St. Jail; Bennett, of Mo Keeoport, fought tl roumU with Jack Williuius, of Philadelphia, tit tlio CcjiUul Athletic tlub to. Light, llciiM'll had the belter of tin.- sv (rum lieidiinln lo iml. llaltlmore, Jan. .'If Sim Tuuiuklii, "Youm; l'cter Jackson," Koloicd) won from Hairy l-'fali cr, of Uiookbn, tonlk'lit,' fit nine iouiuIj. To prevent u Knockout the set ends of the latter threw up tho tpoiitrc at the closu of the ninth louiul. The bout ivj3 iUicduled tu gu twenty icauub, Cliliaiiio, 111., Jan. 31. "Kill" Ilioail, of ("Teic land, ifjlitcil ' decision over Tommy Sullivan, t llrnokl)!), ut the end of i slx-rouiul contest tonight at tho IlliuoU Athletic club. Sau Tranche). Oal., Jan. 31. Jack Itoot wai kU'cji tbc decision in the scvinth round ot Ills ftslit tgplvlit with (icurge, Gardner. Tli Ueciilc.ii was given on a (oul. SOHLEYS AT NASHVILLE. The City in Holiday Attlro in Honor of Their Arrival, lly Inclusive Wire from The Associated Press. Niulilltle, Tcnn,, Jan. SI, Admiral and Mn, Pehley me the ituciH of SVhvllIc tonight, and the illy Is in lioiliUy jijtlie in their honor. The tialn beating them frujii Louisville van met nt Iluwlliii; IIicim, My., by ;i committee of Xash Vlllc'fl iltfrens. Xaslivlllu wn.s reached nl S.'-ll p. in. Tlii deco rated union station was paiked la suffoeati'jn with a maNS of chreilns humanity and an ad miral' salute was fired from capttol hill us the tialn an Heil, and bands in the station added to the nolc when the distinguished visitors stepped fiom the car. The Admiral and Mm. Schley were (ceoilcd to u carriage dran'n by four while hornei, and the start was made for tlii" human hotel, wheic the visitor will stop while In Nashville. The streets were lined with cntliu'lastle tin omits and at the hot.'l a large irowd was UFScmblcd. Acknowledging t lie shouts of Welcome with bows and smile, the tlMtora proceeded into the hotel and into their rooms, where they will pend a uM evening piep.ira lory to a busy day tomorrow. Along the route from Louisville It vui the,. same at every sta tion, irowd. and cheers and flags. RECEIVERSHIP FOR ZI0N LACE BUSINESS Chicago Courts Puzzled by Arrange ments of John Alexander Dowie and His Brother-in-Law. Dy l'.ntlusivp Wire from Tiie Associated l'res. Chicago, Jan,. 31. Judge. Tulley today ordered a recelvershlu for the JSIpn Lace Industries and Monday will enter u decree appointing Klmer AA'ashburn to the position of receiver under a bond Of S700.000. The court in a lengthy decision of the case, which was Instituted by Samuel Ste,vonson, a brother-in-law of John Alexander Dowie.' declared that Dowle's church, the Christian Catholic church, was a" curious mixture of religion and business. He held that Stevenson had by undue Inlluence, exerted by Dowie as head of the church, been led to turn over to Dowio practically everything he had In the world, and held that Steven son was entitled to at least $100,000 from Dowie, or the lace industries, which, ho said, were practically the same thing. "Undue Influence" was the chief topic discussed by the judge In his decision. Dowie, he said, was unquestionably the superior of Stevenson, both, In Intellect and business ability. Dowie, ho de clared, was a religious zealot; Steven son, a follower. Stevenson,- like others In "Zlpn," ' followed Dowlo blindly. They believed him the agent of tfie Al mighty on earth, destined to build up cities of Zion in every country in tho world- None Avas-move Influenced by the teachhiKS of "the reincarnated Elijah" than Stevenson. , It was the province of the court, he said, to protect the weal; against the strong. U was not clear just to what extent Stevenson had suffered monetary loss, owing to the peculiar agreements be tween stockholders in the lace indus tries and Dowie. It was clear, how ever, that Stevenson was entitled to $100,000 and also clear that the $!i0,00l which Stevenson had turned over to lite wife (now dead) and the latter had" turned over to Dowie, could not be col lected. "The case needs more light," said tl-1 court. I have studied over It night and day for a month, yet on many points I am In thp dark. There should be a further hearing." The court directed that Attorney Beeves file an amended bill In order that the stockholders of the lace In dustries may be made parties to the suit. The decision being against the corporation It Is necessary that the stockholders be present In court be fore a decree can bo entered. The posi tion of the stockholders, the court said, wus not plain. The evidence showed that they had paid over $100,000 for stock but that the transaction was of such a character that Dowie alone semed to hold everything of value. An amended bill' and an amended answer will be Hied by the parties to the suit Monday, when tho decree ap pointing a receiver will be entered. Till then, by stipulation, Dowie Is pre vented from disposing of any moiv preferred stock, Dowie will pray for an appeal, and Judge Tulley lntlniatel that It would be granted, owing to the peculiar points of law Involved, and the presence In the case of fac tors on which no law seeemed to bear. In discussing tho bond for the re ceiver. Attorney Packard, acting for Dowie, declared that If the receiver was for all of Dowie property, he should require a bond of $10,u00,000. The court explained that only the hue Industries were at present Involved, anil $700,000 was agreed on. "Doctor" Dowlo positively refused to say anything about his plans, In view of Judge Tulley's decision, and Instructed his lawyer t.o say nothing for publication, Entertained by Count Von Buelovv. Il.v Inclusive Wire from The Aisoclattd I'less. Il-'llln, Jan, ill, I'rinrr and Princes Htnrv of 1'Hivii.i, Andrew l(. While, I'lilted States ambas sador here, utnl Mr. While; .Inhn II. Jackson, eilutary of Hie embassy. uin Mr. .Jjih-on lu. gither willi ii laige company weie cuteitalned at dinner tonight by ('mint Vmi llik-luu, tlm im. pcrlal (hanicHor. f .. Fell Down Twin Shaft. Uy Ku'tutfii- Wire from The Associated I'rem. Wll!;e-llaiie, Jan. 31. Marlm Ward, n tone iii4ou employed tit Iho Twin shaft of the ).clilgh Valley Coal company, I'itutou. inel u horriblo death this moiliiug. lie fell iloun the Uufl a dlslanu' of !SUU feet and evciy, bune in hi. body was btokili. Mrs. Dalzell Burned to Death. Il.v Inclusive Wliv from Tiie Axoclaled Press. Hamilton. O., Jan. ill. Mm. llertha Dikell wa bullied to death in a, llui whlili deliovil the dwelling uly today. Sir. Uals-ll cjnled tho (hildrcn out und lu endeavoring lo tavd his wife tut badly burned, iii - i i DEATHS OF A DAY, Of focliume Wire from The Associated Press. n Delaware, O., Jan. ai.--Afler a liuiti-rlujr illness tlio 'r'oult of u bti-oko of apoplexy teural weiU ago, Professor. William (1. Williams. D. I. 1,1.. D., aged 60 jeam, is dead heie. Piofessor Will. iaiiLs has been linked with Ohio Weslcjuu mil- vciolly": (or flfty.wiven )e-ni beirliiniuir with 111 foundation u 1SII. He wo born lu Chllllvothe, 0., en I'eb. 22, U2i" . i... ....( MORGAN DISCUSSES PHILIPPINES TARIFF . i, PORTO RICAN THUGS TO BE GARROTED Exterminating the Gang That Caused a Reign of Terror on the Island in 1898. Uy Kuliulte Wire from The Associated Press. San Juan, Porto Dlco., Jan. 31. The sentencing by the district court of Ponce of five murderers to be garroted some time nest February unless the sentences be commuted to life Impris onment, has been sustained by the su premo court of the Island. The papers In this case will reach Governor Hunt this week and a number of citizens are petitioning the governor's clem ency In the matter. The supremo court may recommend clemency In which case It probably will bo granted. The men are members ot a gang, five of whom weregarroted at Ponce In l!)0o. They committed crimes In the unset tled times of 1S9S. The men now under sentence robbed a house near Adjuntas, after having maltreated, mutilated nnd murdered the Inmates. Those executed In 1000 committed a similar crime near Ynucuo. The crimes of this gang have been particularly atrocious. There Is much opposition here to the enforcement of the death penalty but a bill Introduced Into the legislature abolishing this penalty was laid upon the table. DISASTROUS BLAZE AT NORFOLK The Atlantic Hotel a Heap of Ruins. Three Hundred Guests Aroused from Their Slumber. By Kxclusise Wile from The Associated Piesis. Norfolk, Va., Jan. 31. A heap of smoking ruins Is all that remains to day of the Atlantic hotel, the massive Columbia olllce building), which ad joined the hotel, the Albemarle flats and a block of stores in the center o( the city. The conlhigratlon, one of the greatest In the history of Norfolk, broke out shortly before o'clock this morning, and when finally subdued over half a million dollars' worth of property had been destroyed. The loss Is believed to be fully covered by in surance. The Humes started lu the Columbia building. The fire was llrM discovered at !.." o'clock this morn ing, and shortly, afterward over 1,000 galllons of whiskey, stored in the building, exploded 'with terrlllc force, tearing out the front wall. Tho lire men wore driven back by the explo sion, and before they could get a stream of water on the flumes the en tire building was allre. About llftcon minutes later., the north wall, which was seventy-five feet high, fell In, completely annihilating the home of the Virginia club, which adjoined the building on the north. From the outset it was evhlenjL that the Immense Atlantic hotel was doomed. J. Hull Davidson, Its pro prietor, personally made tho rounds ot the rooms and, aided toy his assistants, aroused every guest in the building. To this Is due tho fact that, so f-ir as known, no life was lost, although about three hundred people were asleep In the hotel when the alarm w'ns sounded. The Utile army of half-dressed men and women, refuges from the llames, elbowed their way through the crowd ed streets. In their hands they cur lied such small belongings as llioy were able to save lu their fllglit. WADE AND DALTON HANGED. Portland Murderers Retained Their Nerves on the Gallows. lly Ku-luitie Wire from The Aoelated I'rejs Portland, Ore,, Jan, 81. loseph Wade und H. 11. Pulton were hanged In the county Jail yard this forenoon, for the murder of James II. Morrow. Novem ber 14 last. Doth men retained their nerves. They were hanged for the murder of James li. Morrow, on November 14, whom they Intended to rob, They met him on the street about midnight and ordered him to throw up his hands. Morrow made a move ns If to put his hands In his pockets, when he was shot dead; Wade was born near Pittsburg, Pa., and Daltou at Atlanta, (la. Wade and his victim were both under 21 years of age, while Daltou was only Mrs. Van Keureu Roleased. By Ku-liulve Wire from The Associated I'iim. Viiieland. N. J., Jan. 31, Mm. I,. M. Van Keuren, who was aire.tcd on Weilne-day iluiaed Willi ui-oii lu I'omii'i'tl'iu with the destitution of her rule by me, li.l. been icleaed by ;i Justin- uf the peine if IhU place, She was ar lested at the linunie of the heal the luinmls. kIoii and after a Icnislh.v lu .illmr whiili lasted until after inlduiuht last umht lu- was lelea.cj by tho JiulUc mi the ground uf iiwiftulerl eti delue. Hanged on Circumstantial Evidence. lly i:xiuivc Wile from The A laird l'n-s. Dallas, Ti-x.. Jan. 31. -Thomas Slmiis was luuiied ai fiiahaiu ledav fur tlio u.unl.-r of W. (I. Ilioonu-, June 7, !. Moiil' nick wai biokm. Tho cvldeiue ininlrM .Monks wa.s ill U!)n.,lanll.il. Uiouiiie ..Ms a iudiii-iiuIk ' Slor lis and his body was found In u tank of water w'clithlfd don wllh linn. Mollis had dUpoA'd of llioome's clleil the prevloui day. Pensions Granted, Dy Kuliche Wire from The Assoclatid Plt. Wahlm;tou. Jan. SI. Thee pensions lute Uin h-ianledi Otcar Mai tin, ot rUranton, Mil lliiiiy ('. Iloier, .Scranton, Hi; Mail In Stalk, Old raw, IU- m i , Gold in the Treasury, fly lljcluihe.Wlrc fiomThe Associated Press. Washington, Jan. 31. The amount t gold in tint treasury today wxs I3,S70,3UM, tho highest PQlnt ever icached lu the history el the Kotern-incut. fln Earnest Pica lor the Establish' incut ol a Home Govern ment at Manila. CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS RAISED The Speaker Believes That the Esti mate of tho Filipinos for the Uni ted States Would Be Advanced if . They Could Have a Delegate in Congress ns in the Cr.ss of Hawai'. The House Will Defend Itself Against Invasion by Senate of Its Prerogative in the Hatter of Rev enue Legislation. Dy KmIikIvc Wire from The Associated Press. Washington, Jan. St. An extended speech on the pending Philippines tariff bill was delivered It. I lie senate today by Mr, Mcrgnn. of Alabama, who de voted particular attention lo an amend ment which lie offered to the bill last week. He malnta'ncd that the enact ment of the bill as It stands now would not bo a constitutional remedy for thf situation the measure is designed to re Hove, but said with the adoption of hi. amendment the hill would stand tb'i closest scrutiny of the courts. Tiie Ala bama senator did not discuss thp politi cal phases of the Plilllniiino question, devoting his entire speech to a con sideration of the local nnd constitu tional o.uestlons raised by tho presen tation of the tariff measure. Tie said he had not hoard, as yet, any objec tion to the tariff that it is proposed to be lnlil and took It for granted that the tariff was .lust and necessary. He argued that congress had no constitu tional authority to levy a discriminat ing tariff either upon Imports or ex ports between the United States and the Philippines. "I believe In tlio doctrine of free trade In all parts of the UiilWdiSsMM'e, whether i-nveieil bv the constitution, the ling, or hoth.f lie said, and con tended that an export duty Is plainly forbidden, even though, In case of the Philippines, tlio duty was levied hero. Speaking of tlio claims which have i been made Hint there, was no la'wfnl government In the Philippines-, iir. Morgan, with great earnestness,' said there Is u government there, and ho was glad to say. a very good govern ment, suitable to the character of thosu people und circumstances In which ho found them. It would advance the estimate of tho Filipinos for tlio Pulled States If they could have a delegate in congress, as in the case of Hawaii, said Mr. Morgan. This, ho thought, would be no violation of the constitution. Deferring to the work of the Philippine commission, their personality and ability, he paid a tribute to the late President Mc-Kinloy, who, he said, was the happiest man In the world In making selections of men for responsible positions, who always could be relied upon to do the light thing at the light time and In the light way. Mr. Morgan pleaded for a govern ment In the Philippines which could bo prepared at nil times lo meet emer gencies In accordance with the laws of the 1'nlted States, because, ho said, there miiv be n time when the Philip pines are cut nl' from cable communi cation with this country. Ho urged tho establishment of n-i i-vecullve ilnnnrt ment for tin- control of tho Islands. In conclusion. Mr. Morgan said that ho hud imrposely icfralin'il from re ferring to any political phase of tills UOKtlon. Ho urged tlio adoption of his amendment, "but," ho said, "If the bill stands as It Is, and will break tlm uni formity of taxation In tho Philippines, I shall feci that tlio constitution has been violated." An hour mid n half was devoted to consideration of n bill to Incrcnsn the salaries of Judges of I'nlied Htntci courts, but no action was taken, lu the House. The hotir-o today prepared to defend Itself nualnst what It considers tho threatened invasion by tho senate of Its prerogative In th" matter of revenue legislation by directing tho ways and moans conimlltoo to Investigate the nibject and report to the house Its con clusions. Tho action of lb" houso was tho outgrowth of tliu agitation In tho senate of tlm claim that reciprocity treaties affecting the customs revenues can ho iieuotlated without tho concur rence of the house. Mr. Itlchiirdson. the minority leader, sought to have the house adopt a dec laration on the subject today without waiting for the senate to compill n'n overt act. but tho majority leaders were opposed to hasty action and his resolu tion was referred to the ways and melius comniltieo. A resolution offered by Mr. Dnlssoll t Pennsylvania), to make tho olentimi ginino bill n special order for Monday next, to continue until disposed of, war adopted. . ... .. Steamship Arrivals. By i:.eluhe Wiru fiom Tiie Associated Prcw. New Vmi., Jan. ul. Cleared : tlnihri.i, J,vcN pool; Amstenlam, ltotteidain. llambuiir Ar livc.l: Palalla, New York. 4- -K 4- - f- WEATHER FORECAST. - Washington, Jan. at, Vorecant for Saturday and Sunday: Kasteiu Pcnnjjl- -f- wnla,vsnow or rain in Miiilt; nuw in 4- noith portion Saturday; Sunday sloudy; -f- fie.h noitlicjsterly co easterly winds. t-r -rt .4:-r;-r. t f