". 1 , , - ( .,'! , f sfl ormttott ft.1 l THE ONLY SCRANTON PAPER RECEIVING THE COMPLETE NEWS SERVICE OF THE ASSOCIATED. PRESS, THE GREATEST NEWS AGENCY IN THE WORLD. SCRANTON, PA., FRIDAY MOJKN1NG, DECEMBER 3.0, 1902. J TWO CENTS. SIXTEEN PAGES SIXTEEN PAGES nx TWO CENTS. ,4 J ' Kf MINISTER BOWENVIS GIVEN FULLPf WER President Castro Asks Our Repre sentative to Effect Settlement With the Powers STATE DEPARTMENT ACTION AWAITED The Effort to Induce the United States to Act as Guarantor Will Probably Not Succeed A Mere Payment of Money Will Not Meet Germany's Desires for Satisfaction. President Castro Becomes Excited When Interviewed Regarding the Ultimatums. B.v Exclusive Wire from The .Vo-iJt'il l,ro.-. Caracas, Dec. IS. Lopez. Barak. Ven ezuelan minister of foreign affairs has transmitted to United States Minister Bowen a document signed by President (.'astro as constitutional president of the republic, and countersigned by himself as minister of foreign affairs In which Mr. Bowen is recognized as the only representative of Venezuela in the mat lor of affecting u. settlement of the present fllfllculty. According to the terms of this docu ment Mr. Unwell may act without re st rli'tion. and he is to use all means possible to protect the interests of Ven ezuela. The' document was subjected to correction last night and again this morning before delivery. The state de partment at Washington has been no tilled of the transmission of this in strument to Minister Bowen. Kvents here are dependent upon the receipt, through the state department uC the answers or the governments of CI runt Britain, Germany and Italy to the proposal ot-nrbitration advanced by Venezuela;-these answers are ex pected to-morrow. Should they be fav orable the Venezuelan government strongly desired that a, conference of the ambassadors of Great Brituin, Ger many and Italy to the United Stales then be held in "Washington and that Mr. Bowen leave I.u Guayra. December 23 for the United States on board the lied "D" line steamer Caracas, which is due to reach New York December 9. Mr. Bowen will meet the ambas sadors In "Washington. Is'o meeting to discuss terms of settlement is to bo held on Venezuelan soil. Washington, Dec. 18. President Cas tro has clothed Minister Bowen with full powers to effect a settlement with Great Urltaln, Germany and Italy. Mr. Bowen simply awaits the consent of the state department to assume this task, assuming that the nations named are willing that he shall undertake this work. it Is believed that the critical phase of the Venezuelan dilliculty Is passed. Whether the consent of these gov ernments can bo obtained will, It Is believed here, depend entirely upon the puttleleney of any guarantee that can be given for the faithful discharge by President Castro of any obligations ho may assume as the result or Mr. Bow en's efforts. The allies feel that they must be assured against the consc (juenees or another revolution and tho possible repudiation by the president who may follow Castro of his under takings. Tho effort to Induce the United States government to act as guarantor, It is safe to say, will not succeed, and it Is beginning to appear that there is likely to he a mixed commission appointed to receive all Venezuelan customs, set apart it certain portion for the main tenance of the Venezuelan government and disburse the remainder among tho powers until their obligations nro met. Tho government of Franco has now entered tho field as an active party In Interest In the Venezuelan trouble. The French government has, through Its ambassadors and charges and minis ters, nerved notice upon the govern ments of Great Britain, Germany ami Italy, and, by way of information, has also told Secretary Hay that any pro vision mndo for the settlement of tho claims against Venezuela, must recog nize the pre-eminence of tho French claims. Tho French government received as surances from tho other governments uumed that any arrangements made would provide for tint security of tho French interests In tho Venezuelan cus toms.. Germany Not Satisfied. Tho state department has learned, that, us reported (he Berlin dls patches, a niero money payment will not meet Germany's desires. Count Quadt, the German charge, had u long interview with Secretary Hay today touching Venezuela and the fact is now apparent that whllo money will satisfy Great Britain and Italy, Germany must huvu an apology. The difference be tween her caso and that of tho other powers is that the -German legation at Caracas was attacked, Its windows broken, the minister's sick wife terror ized and the Gorman national honor otherwise touched in a manner that cannot be healed by money. Touching the question of a guarantee of any obligations that may bo assum ed by Castro as a result of Mr. Bow n:'a 'fc'oo'd otlnss. it Is suggested In of J'.clal circles that tia United States be Jiu; without nwr In j .ibsenco of legislation to assume & 'tly and re sponsibility for the cx 3.n or Cas tro's pledges, it Is still .bio Tor tho statu department to glv6 an assurance to uny parties who might be Induced to produce the money to pay tho Judg ments against Castro that when the time conies for re-payment, the United Slates government would exercise Its good olllces to see that tho obligations were kept. It is distinctly stated, how ever, that no pledge will be made on the part of tho United States to forcibly collect any Indebtedness of this kind. Castro Is Angry. Caracas, Dec. IS. Early this morning the correspondent of the Associated Press saw President Castro and ques tioned him regarding the report pub lished in the United States thut the Anglo-German ultimatum had been ac cepted by Venezuela. The president be came furious with rage and said there was no truth In the report. He added: "The acceptance of an ultimatum cannot be coupled with arbitration. Be sides, the Anglo-German ultimatum Is not, properly speaking, an ultimatum." AVholi asked if it was true that Ven ezuela was taking diplomatic stops to arrange ror arbitration and that ar rangements In this connection were well advanced, President Castro re marked: "The government or Venezuela does not propose to determine on any steps while the proposition for arbitration that the legation of the United States was charged to present, to Great Brit ain and Germany remains unanswered." Anti-War Party in London. London, Dec. IS. The executive com mittee of tho British branch of the in ternational Union passed a resolution tills evening, which was introduced by W. T. Smead. expressing regret that Great Britain had oniraired In war With Venezuela without attempting to se cure arbitration in accordance with The Hague peace convention, and urg ing the people of the United States to protest against war being made upon any American state prior to the sub mission and refusal of an offer to ar bitrate. Copies of the resolution will bo sent to Lord Lansdowne and Sec retary Hay. WAR BLOCKADE IN EFFECT TOMORROW But Will Not Indicate That Minis ter Bowcn's Efforts Have Been Unsuccessful. By i:cliteirf Wire from The .Vs-oiuKmI Pre.--.. Caracas, Dpc. IS. rt has been learn ed from an ollicial source that the allies today will notify the Venezuelan au thorities at La Guayra of the blockade, to become effective Saturday, Dec. 20, at S p. m., of the porta of La Guayra, Puerto Cabello, Coro, Maracaibo, Cur upano and Barcelona. Washington. Dec. IS. As understood hero the blockade to be declared by tho allies against Venezuela on Saturday' is to be a "war blockade" as contrasted with the "peace blockade," which has been in operation since the trouble with Venezuela assumed an acute stage. Or dinarily a "war blockade" Is preceded by a declaration of war, but at times this formality Is dispensed with and a blockade maintained Just us though war had been formally declared. To all Intents and purposes war has exist ed and such condition has been recog nized by the governments of the allies. A formal declaration that a blockade has been established will be sent to all the powers and It will he recognized by tho United States government. Follow ing tho practice In such case, this gov ernment will maintain an attitude of neutrality towards the belligerents, which they practically become by the establishment of the blockade, whether a presidential proclamation announc ing our neutrality will be issued has not yet been decided upon. Tho matter will come up for definite determination very soon. Our government is fully Informed of tho intention of the ullles in tho movements they nre making in the op erations against Venezuela. The notice about to Issue of the for mal blockade of Venezuelan ports Is not understood hero to mean thut Minister Bowen's efforts to adjust tho Venezue lan difficulty have failed. It was con ceived that the naval commanders of the powers were noting under explicit Instructions, which included tho e.i tabllshment of n blockade, and it was not expected that these instructions would bo suspended until the negotia tions through diplomatic channels had assumed u phase indicative of a final and satisfactory adjustment. As Min ister Bowen has only today been ap pealed to, to endeavor to effect such nn adjustment, he has hud as yet no opportunity of moving forward In his negotiations to a point where he might reasonably expect the allied powers to cancel, completely tho remainder of their punitive programme. Therefore, it Is to be expected thut the threatened bloekudu will be duly published next Saturday, unless In tho meantime Min ister Buwen is able to offer sulllelent assurances that the Venezuelan govern ment is ready to meet the terms of their ultimatums. It can be stated positively that theso assurances will not Include a direct guarantee by tho United States of Ven ezuela's liabilities. VENEZUELAN VESSEL DISABLED Destruction of the Victoria Causes Great Indignation at Maracaibo. By Exclusive Wire, trcin The Associated Press. La Guavra. Dec. IS. The iTui-.n.... cruiser Fulko, which has been anchored tor tne pabt two days at the entrance of Lake Mar.iculbo, today captured tho Venezuelan ttehnonei' Vletnrhi Aft. cutting down her main mast, thus dU- nbllng her, the (Jorniuiis abandoned tho vessel. This action has caused grout Indig nation among the Venezuelans and ex citement runs high at Maracalbo.whore tho people huvu been parading the streets tittering cries against Great Britain and Germany. THE COAL FAMINE IN SCHENECTADY. Merchants May Be Obliged to Close Their Doors. !! t'.xilmlw Who from 'J'liu .Uw laird I'iivm. Schenectady, N. Y., Dec. 18. Local coal dealers say there Is no hope or the coal faniino being relieved this season. Today a delegation went to Albany to appeal to the sales agent of the Dela ware and Hudson company for nn In crease in the apportionment for this city. Merchants say If they cannot get coal they will have to close their stores. The depot opened by the Citizens' as sociation was again thronged today, well-to-do persons touching elbows hi the most abject manner In the quest for coal. It was announced that no more coal would be forthcoming from this source. This fact Is due to a visit to Albany by local dealers, who protested that the association was injuring their trade. FRANCE ADDRESSES NOTE Her Position Regarding Claims Is Stated Will Make No Demon stration Against Venezuela. Hy IlxrliKlve Wire from The Associated l'n-M. Washington, Dec. IS. It was learned tonight that Franco has addressed a note to her charge d'affaires at Cara cas for submission to the Venezuelan government, stating the position she will maintain with reference to claims of her citizens against Venezuela. Franco makes a distinction between claims arising before Castro's assump tion of power and those arising since. The claims of France prior to Castro's administration, it is agreed, nro. to be settled by arbitration. The claims aris ing since Castro became president are to be adjusted by the French minister at Caracas, and the proper ministerial olllcers or Venezuela. This was ar ranged some time ago. In the note sent to Caracas, Franco takes tho position that claims arising since S9!, when Castro became presi dent, should have as favorable treat ment as Is given to claims of Germany, Great Britain and other countries.. As to claims prior to lSD'J, France says they shall be met according to the most favored nation treaty clause and be mel out of the eustonlSPrccclpts. The note Is courteous, but firm. France, It Is announced, will make no demonstra tion against Venezuela. DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE. President and Mrs. Roosevelt Enter tain in Honor of the Cabinet. Jly Kclusie Wile from The .jochtrd f'rr.s-. Washington, Dec. IS. Thu president and Mrs. Itoosevelt gave a dinner at the white house tonight in honor of the cabinet, to which a large number of other guests also w.ero Invited. It was the lirst formal evening function at the white house since its remodel ing and gave tho guests an opportun ity to view the many changes which have been made in the interior of the mansion. The table was sot In the new state dining room, which has been con siderably enlarged. The table was set in tho form or a semi-circle anil tho decorations were mainly red and white roses. The guests included members of the cabinet and their wives, senators and representatives, with their wives, and a number of personal friends of the president and Mrs. Roosevelt. Sen ator and Mrs. Quay and Representa tive and Mrs. Dalzell were anions tho euests. The guests found many changes had been made in the Interior of the house since last summer. BANQUET OF BANKERS. Five Hundred Members and Guests Dine at the Waldorf-Astoria, by Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press. New York, Dec. IS. William Barrett Ridgley, comptroller of tho currency; President Woodrow Wilson, of Prince ton university, the ltev. Dr, itobert S. MacArthur, Major General Adna n, Chaffee and John' S. Wise were tho principal speakers at the annual ban quet of tho New York Stale Bankers' association given at the Waldorf-Astoria tonight. Five hundred members and guests of tho association wero present. Comptroller Itidgley spoke on "Elas ticity in the Currency." "The Relation of the University to Business," was tho subject of Dr. Wilson's address. Dr. MacArthur spoke on "Hankers, tho Promoters nnd Conservators of Civil isation." General Chaffee spoko on "Exncrlenco with Hanks and Bank ers," and Mr. AVlse. on "Something Which Bankers Do Not Know." Steamship Arrivals. By llxcluslvo Wile frumThu Associated Press. New York, Dec. IS. Sailed: La Tour aluo, Havre. Liverpool Arrived: Teu tonic, New York. Qucenstown-Salled: Celtlo (fiom Liverpool), Now York. Gn no.i Arrived LuhuiNow York via Naples. -;'' m DEATHS OF A DAY. By Kxcluihc Wire from The Associated I'rus. 1'hilailolphla, Dec. 18.-Willlam .1, Bo jioy, former receiver of taxes of this city died today at Ills homo In Torrosdule, a suburb. Air. Honey was stileken with apoplexy while lunching at thu Union Leuguo, this city, on December S, Mr. Honey was born In this city, At tho agu of 17 years ho enlisted In thu Union army and was mustered out In lfCi. uu repre sented tho Eighteenth district In tho state legislature from U7:i to lSItf. Mr. Honey was a member of tho Masonic fraternity, tho annul Army of tho Republic, and the. Order of Odd Follows. Kuw York, lli.i. 1S. rimir.v.ii Mrn Hwanyno died this afternoon ut his rest- ui-uvu iiuiu n n i-uiiiihiiuiiuii 01 uiseascs. Ills widow, two turns and u daughter wero at tho death bed. rtVrnm;i. "WiikIi . n.o Itf 1Vt...l..lln a Whltnoy, statu organizer for the Ameri can Federation of Labor, and treasurer of tho stuto federation, died today of ty phoid pneumonia, iiued i years PARLIAMENT PROROGUED Kfnu Edward's Speech Reviews the Conduct 'of Affairs with Venezuela. REGRETS THAT ACTION HAS BEEN NECESSARY Complaints to the Government of Venezuela in Regard to Unjustifi able Acts Against British Subjects During the Past Two Years Has Been Disregarded The Course Pur sued by Venezuela Made Conceited Action Desirable King Also Re fers to Transvaal. By Kxr.hnhc Wire from The Associated Press. London, Dec. IS. Parliament was prorogued tills afternoon, until Feb. 17, by royal commission. Only a score of members of the Hous6 of Commons wero present when Bluck Rod sum moned the lower house to the House of Lords to hear the king's speech. The speech was an unusually long recapitulation of public events since January, Including the action taken In connection with Venezuela. Regarding' thos the speech said: "1 regret that the constant com plaints which my Igovcrnmcut found it necessary to address to the government of Venezuela in regard to unjustifiable and arbitrary acts against British sub jects and property during tho last two years have been persistently disregard ed and that It has become necessary for my government, acting in concert with that of his Imperial majesty the German I-hnperor. which also has ser ious causes for complaint against tho republic, to insist on measures of re dress." The speech refers to the conclusion of the South African war, and adds: "There seems lo be every reason to hope that material prosperity greater than any tho Transvaal and Orange Ulver colonies have yet experienced" may visit these regions and that all sections t)f tho .population may live to gether In friendship for each other and loyalty to the crown." Paragraphs deal with the postponed coronation, the colonial conference and Colonial Secretury Chamberlain's tour, which together are .expected to be of the "utmost value, both In respect to their immediate effect and as prece dents In the future." The Anglo-Chinese treaty Is referred to as promising to "secure not only for this country but for the commerce of the world valuable facilities and ad vantages." The speech closes with a reference to India, where the anxiety regarding an other famine has been averted by a plentiful rainfall, and where the Cor onation Durbar will be associated with a period of unusual commercial and financial prosperity. The speech entirely omits the usual reference to foreign relations. Other topics touched upon were the expedition against the Mud Mullah and tho co-operation of Italy therein, the acceptance by Chill and Argentina of tho British boundary award, the Brussels sugar convention, nnd the al liance between Great Britain and Ja pan. The speech expresses the belief that this alliance "will bo of advant age to both countries and contribute to tho maintenance of general peace in the extreme East.. RESULTS OF COAL FAMINE. Washington People Suffer from Colds and Pneumonia. Ttj Kiclushe Wire (rora'fhe Associated l'reei "Washington, Dec. 18. A material In crease in the number of cases of pneu monia and severe colds among the peo ple of this city Is attributed to the coal famine, according to a number of phy sicians Interviewed to-day. They say that in most of tho houses they visit J only a few of the rooms nro heated. Kven In muny of tho homes of the well-to-do residents furnaces have had to bo abandoned. The price of hard coal from the In dependent operators to-day was $12 a ton. Soft coal at retail brought 8 a ton and many of tho dealers are un ablo to furnish even small lots to reg ular customers. NOTES OF CONGRESS. By Kxjluslve Wire from Tho Associated Press. Washington, Dec. IS. Thu seuato com mittee on education and labor today agreed on a favorable report of tho houso eight-hour bill, Tho agreement was leached after many hearings nnd threo days of executlvu sessions. Many amend ments have been mado. Hepresontatlvo Hill, of Connecticut, to day Introduced a Joint resolution provid ing for a drawback on all coal Into tlm Pulled States at Atlantic porti until Juno SO. 19U). Tho conferees id the senate and tho houso of representatives on tho Anthra cite Coal Strike commission hava raelu-d an agreement. The report will bo mado on. S.iturduy, it Is understood most of tho senate amendments weru retained. Tho house today passed the bill to re duce, tho duties on thu products of tho Philippine Islnuds coming Into tho United States from "5 per cent, of tho Plngley rates (tho present duties) to i per cent, of those rates. Tho discussion of thq bill was uccnmpanled by cousldorahte niau Qouvi'clug on thu Democratic, side lo so euro test votes on various amendments designed to lower tho tariff barrier still further, and a record vote was forced on a motion to ro-commlt with Jus'tructlntuj to report a bill providing for absolute free trado with tho Islands. Tho division oa this proposition was oa party Hoed, with tho exception of Mr. McCall (Hep., Mass.) who voted with tho leniocrtH. Thu mollun was defeated ft I lo ViZ WORK OF BOARD OF PARDONS. John J. Robinson, of Luzerne, Among Those Who Ave Released. lly l'.xcliile Who Iroiii Tho Anncl.itcd l'iat. Harrlsburg, Dec. IS. The board or pardons today refused to commute the death sentence of Mrs. Katu Ndwnrds, of Berks county, to lire Imprisonment. Mrs. Kdwards Is alleged to have hilled her husband, and ten of tho twelve Jurors which convicted her recom mended the commutation of sentence. Tho board also refused to recommend pardons for Michael Sentmnn, Phila delphia, assault and battery; John O. Dally, Philadelphia, second degree mur der; Andrew Slsko, Luzerne, arson; John 11. Brooks, Philadelphia, torgery; Albert West and Robert Klluatrlck, Delaware, first degree murder: John Szoyak, Allegheny, second degree mur der. Re-heurlngs were refused In the cases of AVUllam Punn Bowman, Luzerne, first degree murder, and D. Knight Flu ley, abductloln and conspiracy, Phila delphia. Pardons were recommended for James Gillespie, Schuylkill, burglary; Hurry J. Hannah, .Westmoreland, murder in sec ond degree; John Clirlstll, Allegheny, assault and battery; John J. Robinson, Luzerne, murder in second degree; Michael Hart, Clearfield, murder In sec ond degree; Amos IC. Rboads, Berks, embezzlement; John Rommelc, Phila delphia, murder In second degree. Tho case of Daniel H. Bean, Alle gheny, perjury, and Harry W. Bru baker, Lebanon, felony, were held under advisement. THE STORES RECEIVE. A Reception and Dance Given in Honor of Miss Jean Stone. lly Inclusive Wire from The Associated Press. Harrlsburg, Pa., Dec. IS. A reception and dance was given by Governor and -Mrs. Stone In honor of their debutante daughter, Miss Jean Stone, this even ing at the executive mansion. The dec orations wero surpassingly beautiful, thu greens and the flowers contrasting prettily with tio red and blues of the ball room and the reception room. There were present COO guests, including state olllclals. members of the governor's staff and Major-General Miller and staff in full uniform. Governor and Mrs. Stone and Miss Stone wero assisted In receiving by .Miss Hodgers and Miss Doty, of Pitts burg; Miss Fealy. of Washington; Miss Watson, of Wllliamsport; Miss Winter, of Indianapolis, and Miss Swindell, of Baltimore. The reception was tho last one lo be tendered by Governor and Airs. Stone and surpassed any of the brilliant entertainments given hi the mansion during tho Stone administra tion. INSPECTOR BISHOP'S REPORT. No Girls Employed at Scranton Silk Mills Under Age. lly IlM.Unbe Wire from The Asswriated l're.w. Harrisburg, Dec. Hi. Factory Inspec tor Campbell received a report to-day from Deputy Factory Inspector K. W. J Bishop, whom he sent to Scranton to ascertain If the girl employes of the silk mill told the truth when they tes tified before the coal strike commission that they were under thirteen years of age and yet were allowed to work, which Is against the ractory Inspec tion law. Air. Bishop reports that ho secured the certificates sworn to by the par ents of these girls before the children were allowed to work and all showed that the parents represented their age to bo over the legal limit. Proceedings may be brought against tho parents for perjury. MR. SHRAFROTH'S PLAN. He Would Guarantee Payment of the Venezuelan Claims. lly K.ulu-lve Wile from The Associated I'risi. Washington, Dec. IS. Representative Shrafroth (Colorado), appeared before the committee on foreign affairs, to-day to urge action on a joint resolution which he Introduced authorizing tho president to propose to Great Britain and Germany to submit their claims against Venezuela to arbitration and to guarantee the payment of tho awards. Air. Shrafroth said that war In South America would make the violation of ' tho Alonroe doctrine probable. Mr. Shrafroth expressed the opinion that the trouble In Venezuela would not end until the united States guarantees payments of whatever demands may bo made. "Castro's proposal Is inadequate," ho ."aid, "unless accompanied by a guar antee by the United States. It can bo given by no other nation and, by no body of men In Venezuela now. Gillespie Was Innocent. By Kiclusive Wire fiom The AssocUted Prest Pottsvllle, Pa., Dec. IS. A pardon bus been recommended for James Gillespie, who has served two years hi prison hero for a ciimo of which ho was innocent, in January, VMl, Olllesplo was convicted of burglary and sentenced to suven years' Imprisonment, It has developed that ho was hi Sunbury on tho night of tho bur glary. GIIesplCi Is a member of a prom inent Wilkes-llarro family. Drowned in the Schuylkill, By r.xcliultft Wile from The Associated I'reis. Pottsvllle, Dec. IS.-Joseph and Walter Hast, aged 7 and 'J years respectlvelv, weie drowned In Urn Schuylkill river whllo coasting at Schuylkill Haven. They wero unailo to control thu sled, which left tho hill und carried Ilium lutd thu strouni, President Receives Teachers, By Kxclu.lve Wire fiom The Associated I'rcjs. Washington, Dec. IS. President Hooso volt today lecelvcd ono hundred and fifty to-iehi'i-H from Biibquehunna county, pro seated by Representative Wright. Latur the pu'Miknt revolved tho students of thu Pennsylvania Statu Normal school, lo cated at Blnomsbuig. Carried Life Insurance, lly Kxclule Wire from The Associated Press. Louisville, Kj',i Dec. IS. It developed today that H. C. Whuyncy a Loul.svlllo businessman, who wus found dead lust night with a gunshot wound la Ida breast, carried SCT.Mo life Insurance. SUFFERINGS OF THE NON-UNION WORKERS THREATENED STRIKE AVERTED Action of International Officers Pre vents Disaster for Schenectady. By llvclushn Wro from Tho Associated l'rr.. Schenectady, N. Y., Dec. IS. The threatened strike In the General Elec tric Works here, it Is now understood has been averted through the action of the International officers of thu nllled metal mechanics and of the kindred unions, who have now taken the mut ter in charge. Tho proposition of the unions Is Hint nn agreement bo entered Into between the General F.Iectrie com pany and the unions providing, that ir the company will not declare a lock out, the men will promise not to go on strike. Hereafter all matters that may fall into dispute are to be submitted to a commission, comprising tho pres ident of tho company, C. A. Coffin, of New York, John Mulhollaiid, president of the International Association of Ale chaulcs and one other person to be chosen on each occasion In question. The award of this commission Is to be final. Edward Uttlng, whose dis charge precipitated the trouble will, It Is said, not return to work, but will become the state organizer of the al lied mechanics' union. THE CASE OF LAURA BIGGAR Testimony Given in Favor of Actres3. Samuel Stanton Swears He United Miss Biggar and Bennett in 1887 By Kxelusivc Wire from The Asfociatcd Press. Freehold, N. J., Dec. IS. Til the trial of Laura Biggar, Dr. Charles C. Hen dricks and former Justice of tho Peace Samuel Stanton for having conspired, as alleged, to secure possession of the estate of the late Henry M. Bennett, opened before Judge Helsley In tho quarter sessions court this morning. Mrs. Mary Roche, who formerly kept house for Mr. Bennett In Seventy-second street, New York, was tho first witness called. She testified that in 1000 Mr. Bennett told her that he would occupy one of rtiu flats In his .apartment house." in Seventy-second street, New York, with his wife. The witness said that later in the same year Miss Biggar showed her a certifi cate of her marriage with Mr. Ben nett. Dr. James G. C'onley, of Bayonne, who was called yesterday by the de fense and who swore that he saw Miss DDBiggar accouched of a male child at Dr. Hendrick's sanitarium, was recalled for cross-examination by the state. The prosecutor failed utterly to shake his testimony as to his having been pres ent at the birth of the child. Joseph nicker t, proprietor of the Park Hotel at Mount Pleasant, Mich., testified that on Dec. 15, 1000, Mr. Ben nett and Miss Biggar stopped at his hotel. Ho said that Mr. Bennett reg istered for himself and Miss Biggar as "Henry M. Bennett and wife." The register was produced in court and the state acknowledged that the signature was that of Mr. Bennett. C. K. O. Keetter, a manufacturer of artificial limbs of New York, testified that on June 17, 1901, he called on Air. Bennett at the latter's stock farm In. Farming dale, N. J., to measure him for a leg. On that occasion Air. Bennett Intro duced Miss Biggar as his wife. Stanton's Testimony. When Samuel Stanton, ono of the de fendants, was called, Miss Biggar looked steadfastly at him ns he took the witness chair. Stanton testified that he was a justice of tho peace from 1SS7 to 1S91 and that on Jan. 2, 1S0S, Bennett and Miss Biggar called at his house, 117 Monroe street, Hoboken, tit about 10:30 p. ni and asked witness to marry them. Stanton said he had never met thu couple before, and he called In Elizabeth Webber, a servant, to act as witness. After he had per formed the marriage ceremony Stan ton said ho gave the bride a marriage ertlllcate. About a year later she came to him mid stated that she had lost the marriage certificate and asked him to give her another. "Witness then went on to explain while at tho house of Joseph Tucker, secretary of the Board of Heatlh in Bayonue, lie met Lawyer Alexander Young, of Jersey City, there, and that Young told him a prominent man of Now York City had been married in Young's oilier- nnd ho wanted to file an antedated marriage certlllcate to savo the young woman's rmmr, who was soon to become a mother, Stanton said Young offered him ?25 if ho would make out the required certlllcate. Tho witness said hu refused. Tho witness told about Young going to tho ofllce of Joseph Tucker, whom ho tried to. Induce to "doctor up any book In his olllce," so that ho (Young) could got tho marriage or Miss Biggar and Bennett on the records, also, that Young lllled out a blank mnniago cer tificate which Tucked gavo him. On cross-examination Stanton said Miss Biggar wrote to him for a second mar riage certlllcato last summer and that he ivcelved $5 for making It out. Mr, Vanderbllt's Condition, ly lliclusivc Wire from Tho Assneiated 1'iess, New York, Deo. IS. Tho Physicians in attendance upon Oornollim Yaudorbllt, In dued tho folluwlntr bulletin at 7.50 o'clock tonight: "Mr. Vunderbllt, so far, Is standing tho complication as well ns wo can reason ably expect. He Is no worso than ho wan at noon." Fatal Coasting Accident. B Exclusive Wire from The AssocUted Press. Gettysburg. Deo IS. Dora Thorno. aired 17 yeurs, whllo coasting, slipped from her sled, railing into a deep pool, and was drowned. Told Mine Strike Commission ot What Theu Had to Endure Diirlna Recent strike. BOYCOTTING, THREATS ' AND INTIMIDATION These Were Supplemented by All Manner o Assaults House o Jo seph Hoffmanof Drifton, Was In vaded by Strikers Who Overturned the Stove mid Set the House on Fire Sorry Story Related by George Grossewicz, of This City. George W. Bowen, the Poet, Had an Extremely Unpoetic Experience. Tales of tho sufferings of non-union men and their families during the strike formed the burden of the testi mony before the mine strike commis sion, yesterday. More than a score of; witnesses told of their sorry experi ences, or assaults, boycotting, threats, Intimidation and petty annoyances un counted. Tho direct examinations wero conducted by Attorneys Joseph O'Brien nnd John T. Lonnhan. The minors' at torneys did not do much cros's-cxam-1 ining, contenting themselves with an occasional effort to make it appear that union men did xxo commit tho vio lence. There was considerable objection on tho part of tho, miners?1 attorneys be cause tho evidence) tending- to prove boycotting was for tho most part in direct, but tho commission refused to sustain the objections. Chairman Gray said tho commission was not bound by any strict rules of evidence, but would "liko counsel to confine thetnselvcaaa far impossible to direct evidence. """ " "" It was difficult, bo said. In provlig tne existence or boycotts, to get the best evidence on ihe subject. The com mission, ho said, wanted to know about tho alleged reign of terror during- the strike, and realized It would be impos sible to get information about it from witnesses If the strict rules of evidence were apnlied. "The coward -who will so to the storekeepers," said he, "and warn them not to sell the necessaries of life to a woman, whose husband chooses to work, can be counted upon to seek tho obscurity which the rules of evidence provides for him. If a girl is dis charged from her position in a storo because she rode on a street car dur ing a street car strike, the coward who discharged her is coward enough to re fuse to testify." Realizes tho Cause.- Ho recognized, ho said, why some merchants will not come forward and tell who forced them to refuse to sell necessaries of lire to boycotted per sons, but if ho wore a storekeeper, ho thought, ho would risk his all to as sist in breaking- up tho cowardly boy cott business. The fact that tho commission Is about to close Its sessions resulted in yesterday's attendance being the largest sineo the opening days of the hearings. In the afternoon the crowd in tho court room was as large as that of any day since the hearings began, and many who could not gain admission were turned away. President Mitchell, of tho mine work ers, returned from-the west and was present during both sessions. The first witness of the day was Fred Reynolds, who was a pumprunucr dur ing tho strike nt tho Bellevue colllerv or tho Delaware. Lackawanna nmi Western company In this city. John Francis, a union man, shot at him four times, on July 5, after having threat ened a few days before that he would kin mm If ho did not stop work, Fran els was tried and convicted, and sen tenced to three inontha in Jail and a tine of $;;, Joseph Hoffman, of Drifton, went on strike, but when the union refused to glvo him any financial assistance, hn wus forced to return to work. Ono night a crowd ot" fifty or sixty attacked his home. He crawled to tho garret, broko through the roof, crawled across to a neighbor's house and escaped. lib went six miles through tho woods to his mother's home in Kckley. When tho crowd forced nn entrance to his houso ami found lilm irone, It smashed tho furniture uiui terrorized his wife and children. On cross-examination, Mr. McCarthy sought to make It appear that the at tack was made by a crowd of mischiev ous youths, who hud been drinking n keg of beer In an adjacent Jlold. The witness couldn't see It that way. Continued on Pago 5.) YESTERDAY'S WEATHER, ji Local data for December IS, IMW: Highest temperatmo ,..,,, , 3$ decreed Lowest temparture, ,.., 30 degree Htlatlvo humidity: 8 a, m, ,,,,,, ,,.., C9 per cent. s p. in ,,... S per cent. Precipitation, 21 boms ended 8 p, m,, trace. 4- i -f - -H f WEATHER FORECAST, 4 - Washington, Dec. 18 Forocast for -. Friday and Saturday: Eastern -W Pennsylvania Fair Friday and Sat- 41 -t- uraay; iresn west to northwest -fj f winds; becoming variable. -L '.-til : j I Aj u '1 M l ft" I I VI ittt-t't.t.t.tt.tttt.t.t.t.tt.'fl i W.s ' i, MJaM4v!U3Mii-tWv s--,-!,..