Pittston Gazette

              • ft JL. WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE HOME PAPER Forecast Until 8 p. m. Tomorrow lor I'op tlie People of Plttston and Eastern Pennsylvania. Vicinity. Fair and warmer tontght; rain and warmer on Friday ♦ f D AMi THE HOME NEWS. J r.OTri VTpiTp J r .V - HSTABLISHBD 1 OD±±l X TiA IX. f^oC\CVD KST. BI TIIEO. IIART ANTHRalITE PITTSTON, PA., TH DAY, MARCH 20, 1906. TWO CENTS A COPY. i ihtiattt ■p'Anrr.st FORTY CENTS A MONTH. f JJilUlli J /VlTPifl HB9H^^HHBy ■  Itfli 81 DELEGATES KNOX AIRS VIEWS NARROW ESCAPE FROM WET FALL LOCAL SITUATION A. Parker Was on the EClgc of Itlver When tlie Police Stopped lllm— HOLD MEETING TONIGHT Says Pending Hepburn Act Strike Uncertainty Causes lie Was Disorderly. is Unconstitutional. Anthony Parker, colored, who lives close to the Ferry bridge, had a narrow escape from a fall into the river last night close to midnight. Officers Ptendergtust and Llnnen were summoned to the Parker home because the head of the house was disorderly. When they entered he left by the back door and, noticing Ills location, started down tlie steep bank. The ofllcers quickly followed and caught him at the water's edge, lie was taken to the city jail, making the air resound with requests to lie let go. He was lined this morning. Depression. They Have Been Called by President Mitchell to As- ARGUES FOR A REVIEW TALK OF SUSPENSION semble in Indianapolis and Consider the Anthracite Scale, as Well as to Frame a Reply to Railroads are Entitled to When Present Agreament Ends on Saturday. Their Pay in Court. President Baer's Letter. •••• ' . r: -'v.- 811 D ... :L EXTENSION OF PRESENT AGREEMENT WILL LIKELY BE ASKED FOR Washington, March 2tD. — Senator Philander C. Knox mnde a speech on .lie Hepliurn railroad rate bill in the senate in which he declared emphatically that the present measure is unconstitutional. He strongly advocated I lie power of review by the courts of findings of the interstate commerce mnitnission fixing railroad freight Locally speaking, the principal topic of conversation has to do with the action to be taken by the Mine Workers and the operators after the present three-year agreement between the two sides shall expire on Saturday night next. It is quite generally conceded that there is now no possibility of the operators and the union leaders reaching any agreement on the demands presented by Mr. Mitchell, in behalf of the union, before the agreement expires. In the tirst place, Mr. Mitchell and his associates, who are still held in Indianapolis on account of the deadlock over the soft coal scale, would find It impossible to reach New York before Saturday, and, again, it is regarded as impossible that any conference that might be arranged between the two sides at this late date, could result in an amicable. agreement within the short space of time that remains. li® I I SCHEDULE OF PAY. The Pennsylvania Coal Co. will pay its employes throughout Its workings on Saturday. All the collieries in this vicinity will lie paid at 4:30. Question of a Wage Scale in the Soft Coal Ragion Will be Definitely Settled One Way or the Other in the Mine Worksrs' Convention in Indian- ¥'C^- RAISES FOR OFFICIALS. Mi*. K 1*1 ix set forth the powers uud duties the Interstate commerce commission uow possesses iiiid performs uuder the act to regulate commerce Hnd declared that the commission had abundant power to seek and discover deviations from the gre.tt purpose of the act to secure equality to enforce its orders and decrees and that its orders and decrees do not have the force of law until made so by judicial rates. apilos Today. Numerous Salary Increases Directed by Councils. Indianapolis, Ind., March \29.—■ President Mitchell today announced that there will be a meeting of the anthracite delegates tonight to consider the anthracite scale and the reply to President Baer. share to meet us in this grave crisis I have said, and I repeat now, that so long as 1 am connected with the miners' organisation and slD long as they give to me and to my advice the same confidence, the same respect that year hy year they have, if market conditions justify us, we shall ask for more and more wages. Chief of Police Is to Itccclve $H,1 a Month, Policcnicn lOacli $70, City decree, Solicitor, $75 anil the Street Mr. Baer, In his letter, regretted that the miners had not seen lit to reply to the operators' proposition that the award of the strike commission he kept in force for three years more and told Mr. Mitchell and his associates to fix the time for the next meeting of the anthracite operators and scale .committee. ANDREW HAMILTON AND THE "YELLOW DOG." Act Unconstitutional, Says Senator, C 'oiuniisMioiM-r, $70—Fiscal Minn workers and others hereabout are wondering what is going to hap]hmi after Saturday. U was hinted in an article reprinted from the Hazleton Standard in these columns yesterday, that it was the intention of the operators to declare a suspension of 60 days, rather than agree to the extension of the present agreement for a period of 60 days, pending further conferences between the committees representing the two sides. This idea of a suspension of work being in the minds of the operators has received emphasis today, notwithstanding the fact that nothing official in regard to the matter could be learned. In conversation with workmen In the employ of two of the largest coal companies in this vicinity, a Gazette reporter today learned that there is a very general Impression that the miners have been given to understand that they will be expected to take their tools out of the mines on Saturday next. They say they received I heir information from under bosses of the company, though, of course, it was unofficial, no public notice having been given of the course to be pursued by the companies. One rumor takes the view that, if the companies order the workmen to take their tools out on Saturday, it will be for the purpose of giving the companies an opportunity to take back, under no general agreement, such of the miners as might be willing to accept employment under such conditions. It goes without saying, however, that comparatively few miners be expected to go back to work under any condition of employment that has not the sanction of the union leaders. There are many miners, it is quite certain, who are content with present conditions, but there is no gainsaying the fact that even these men will obey the orders of their union, whatever thoy shall be. The census taken at some of tho collieries hereabout during the past week revealed the feelings of the miners very clearly. Although some of these men in private did not hesitate to express the opinion that they were satisfied with present conditions, they did not hesitate either to inform the census-taker that they would obey a strike order if it should be issued. Mr. Knox said: "I have no hesitation In guying, upon the authority of the cases which have already been submitted to the senate liy the distinguished senators who have participated In this debate, that a bill drawn upon the theory that the orders of the commission shall be filial and unassailable in the courts would be unconstitutional."Oi'dliiaiii*1* Passed "Judge" Hamilton, who such a sensation liy producing an alleged receipt for $75,000 from C. N. Bliss, treasurer of the Republican national committee, was the New York Life's legislative ageut wit* disbursed the so called "yellow dog fund." lie Is a native of Albany, N. Y., is forty-eight years of age, is n lawyer and was once a civil Justice. Third Heading Will Accept Share of Burdens There are numerous city officials who are breathing easier today than they have for the past few weeks. Common council last evening had Its final say on the ordinances arranging for several salary increases and acted on them favorably, without as much as a single "nay" vote being heard. The ordinances now go to tho mayor, having originated in select council, and he will undoubtedly approve them, thereby making them laws. The city solicitor, the chief of police, the street commissioner and the policemen will all be substantially benefited by the ordinances. "But I make that reservation as I did heretofore that it will lie 4f market conditions justify ns in doing so. II' there conies a great depression, if there comes to our country conditions that Justify it. I have no doubt but that the miners will again accept their share of (he burdens. Hut what are conditions now? It Is published, it is apparent, It Is so obvious tiiat no one has attempted to otl'er denial, that the commercial, industrial conditions of our country are more prosperous than at any previous time. And yet we miners when we ask for even a small advance, simply a restoration of what we had two years ago. an1 met evidently with a flat denial. I any, gentlemen, it's not fair. It's not living tip to the underlying principles upon which this great movement has been founded." It Is reported here today that owing to the fact that it will be impossible to meet the hard coal operators before April 1, that President Mitchell will issue a proclamation authorizing hard coal miners to continue at work for at least 30 days from April 1. That such notice will be given is made necessary by the fact that there is not sufficient time remaining until the expiration of the Anthracite Strike Com. mission's award to permit of the hard coal miners' representatives meeting the operators in a final effort to discuss the miners' demands and arrive at an understanding. Mr. Mitchell has not yet replied to Mr. Baer's recent letter, and the award will have expired before he reaches the east. A FINE NEW BUILDING. BIG BOILER EXPLOOEB. The decisions quoted, said Mr. Knox, prove (hat the railroads are entitled to their day in court and that an act which prevents a judicial review or determination of the question of the reasonableness of an order of the commission would deprive the carriers of this constitutional right and would therefore be unconstitutional. To Be Erected on Site of Old St. James' Church. Six Men Hurt at Ewen Col- The llowell & King to. Will at Once Common council took very little time for the final disposition of the ordinances. Chairman McXevin presided at the meeting, anil the following other members were present: Messrs. Toole, O'Brien, White, Touhlll, Heineman, Hopkins, John Kelly, John Martin, ifenzey, Bowman, Foy, Early, Thomas Kelly, Walsh, William Martin, Evans and McKaig. Start Construction of Modern liery This Afternoon— All Will Recover— He thought that the weight of an order of the commission, made upon authority of an act of congress, would prevent courts from granting injunctions suspending the order unless abundant proof were submitted to justify such a course. Brick Business Block on Wa- ter Street—West Half of (•round Floor to Ik' Fireroom Was l"seCl by Poslollice Indianapolis), Ind., March 29.— The United Mine Workers, in a session of their own this morning, took up the question whether to accept the proposition of F. L. Bobbins to pay the 1903 »catr If allowed to operaltthe Western Pennsylvania mines of the Pittsburg Coal Co. Bobbins is the only big operator who has agreed to this advance. The miners' action is preliminary to the declaration of a strike and will determine whether the strike is to be limited to Ohio, Indiana and Illinois coal fields or include all the bituminous fields of the country. Plttston Is to have another tine modern business structure which will be a credit to our community. The Howell & King company are planning to tear down the old St. James church building and erect on the same plot of ground a splendid brick structure, with a frontage "of about 50 feet on Water street and a depth of 100 feet, there being a large and well lighted basement beneath. The upper fioors of the building will probably contain ofilces, etc. Their bid being the lowjest, location considered, 'wojrd was received by the projectors of the new building litis morning that tho Postoffice Department had accepted their proposition to furnish premises for the postolllce in this city at the expiration of the present lease on the room In Music Hall block, July 1st. Accordingly every effort will be put forth to have tlie new building in readiness as near that date as practicable. The postoffiee will be situated In the western half of the ground floor in a large room 24x100 feet In size; containing windows on three sides—front, rear and side toward the river—thus insuring abundance of light. liverything in connection with the building will be of the most approved style. The postoffiee equipment and furniture arc to embody the very latest ideas and everything will be so arranged so as to afford the greatest convenience to the public and the maximum of facilities to clerks and carriers for the prompt handling of the postal business of this city, lite employes of the office being able to work under most favorable conditions as to light, air and apparatus. A mechanical device will be employed for hoisting and lowering mail pouches to and from Lehigh Valley trains, the tracks of which will be alongside the building. There will be a commodious and well lighted waiting room for carriers in the basement, containing lavatory, lockers and furniture. Three entrances will do away with necessity for hauling mail pouches through the public lobby. The postoffiee partition will be finished in polished, quartered oak and will be so arranged as to allow additional space over that now had in the present cramped quarters. Wrecked. Ordered Out 25,000 Miners. A boiler at Ewen washery, of the Pennsylvania Coaf Co., exploded this afternoon hi 3 lock. Injured six men and badly wrecking the lircroom in which It was located as well as doiiiK considerable damage to the mining property about it. The explosion made a terrific report that startled the entire section. A large piece of the side of the washery was torn out and the broiler created havoc and wreckage throughout the building. Names Act's Alleged Faults Council at once took tip the consideration of ordinances on third reading. All jliejisures under this head had been passed finally by select council. The ordinances which passed finally were: Dubois, Pa., March Ut». - The long threatened strike lias begun in the bituminous fitrMs iif I'euiiM, It.un.i, it iDD reported here. Patrick (JUday. presi- district No. 2, composed of all or parts of ten counties comprising the central bituminous field of Pennsylvania, has sent out to all subdistrict officials a notice to suspend work ou the night of Saturday, March 111. The number of men affected by the order Is 25.0(10. "Whatever the intentions of the franiers of this hill may have been," said Mr. Knox, "they have succeeded in producing a measure which permits an administrative body to make orders affecting property rights, gives no right to the owners of the property to test their lawfulness in the courts in a direct proceeding, denies the right lo challeuge their lawfulness in proceedings to enforce theui and penalizes the owner of the property in the sum of $5,000 a day if it seeks a supposed remedy outside of the provisions of the hill by challenging either its constitutionality or the lawfulness of the acts performed under its provisions." Fllo No. 12, the appropriation or- dinance File Xo. 13, an ordinance providing for an increase of pay for the city solicitor from $600 per annum to $900 per annum. There- wore no fatalities, owing to the fact that no ono was nearby when the explosion occurred. Several men who were working outside were more or less injured. Frank Delaney, who was In charge of a Bang working nearby, received a severe scalp wound. Joseph Lobsinsky, a Pole, had one shoulder dislocated and was badly bruised and cut about the head. Dr. MeOinly was summoned and attended to these File No. 14, an ordinance levying general and special taxes for the fiscal Indianapolis, Ind., March IS).—No one can say with any surety that a coal strike iu the bituminous field will be avoided, but the prospect for peace is much brighter than at any time since the operators and miners got together last week. There was a conference for five hours, during which many speeches were made, John Mitchell carrying off the honors of the argument. A motion to retain the present scale for two years was defeated, all the operators voting for this and all the miners ngalnst It. Bailromls Seize Coal Pittsburg, March 29.—All railroads in this district yesterday began confiscating coal in transit. Not only was every car on the road seized, but the railroads began rushing empty cars of every description lo the mines to have them filled before next Saturday., Many of the mines are working double turn and there has never been a busier time in the Pittsburg district than at present. All parties are confidant that there will be a complete tie-up after Saturday and are preparing accordingly. File No. 15,_ providing for an In-, crease of pay for the chief of police from $900 a year to $1,020 a year; also providing for an Increase of pay for patrolmen from $60 a month to $70 a month. year 1906, The house in order tliat the legislative, executive anil judicial appropriation liill might lie considered without being subjected to liuiitiesH points of order passed a rule prohibiting that method of lighting the bill. The passage of tlie rule caused an uproar (p the house. "Are we to be bound and gagged by the eighteen members of the appropriations committee?" ex- File No. J6, an ordinance increasing the pay of the street commissioner from $60 a month to $70 a month. Council C then adjourned without transacting any further business. two cases. Four Italians, whose names arc not known, were'badly shaken up and more or less bruised WYOMING-. Then when It looked as if nothing could he accomplished Frank L. Bobblub for the Pennsylvania operators moved that the schedule of 11(03 be Restored for two years. This was accepted by Mr. Mitchell subject to the ratification of the miners' convention. The conference adjourned until this afternoon pending action by the iniu- President Patrick Dolan, who is in Indianapolis, telegraphed the local representatives that the Pittsburg district men need not prepare to quit work on Saturday, as they would certainly get an advance and the scale would be fixed for this district. Notwithstanding this, the men want to strike. They are much dissatisfied with the way things have gone at Indianapolis. They wanted a 12 1-2 per cent, advance, and if they cannot get that they prefer to shut down. They say they can win the strike in thirty" days and get the full advance. PERSONAL. A very pleasing entertainment was given Wednesday evening at Music Hall, in which Mrs. William Krise, of Pittston, rendered some solos Ift her usually tfne and pleasing manner. She was assisted in duets by Miss Florence Memory. The violin music by Burke Hermann, of Forty Fort, was especially good, showing very marked artistic ability. While the readings from James Whitcomb Riley by our young townsman Karl Knapp were greatly appreciated by the audience. His easy and pleasing manner in portraying the different parts, changing from the humorous to the pathetic, showed study and training, and his impersonations, which, by the way seems to be his strong point, were exceptionally fine, showing the natural talent in a very marked degree. A feeling of depression and uncertainty prevails throughout the community ,on account of the inaction of the parties to the anthracite agreement. It is generally believed that bufeiness men are in nl quandary. They know not which way to move. If they were certain that a strike order was to come, they would much prefer it to come at once, rather than to have another month or two of uncertainty. They could then regulate their business affairs according to what they know they could expect. As matters now stand, they are very much worried, not wishing to disturb their business arrangements unnecessarily and yet feeling that it is the part of prudence for them not to enter into any new arrangements as regards improvements, stock, employes, or anything else affecting their expense Misses Elizabeth Joyce and Margaret Gavin were callers In Sc-ranton yes. terdny. claimed Mr. Driscoll (N. Y.). "If we are, then we had better go home and send a lot of wooden Indians in our places!" This remark excited great ap- Jamcs Coyne, of Dlninny street, is eibout again after a severe illness of two months, pin use. Misses Helen and Nora Maloney have gone to Xew York and Philadelphia for a visit. ers' union. NO CANAL LEGISLATION. Before this motion of Bobbins' had been accepted by Mitchell, B. B. Ilauiniond and other operators said the complications of the coal situation would never be understood by the publie until a commission had been appointed to settle all differences. They suggested that pending an opinion from an arbitration commission the scale of 1903 should be restored. No action was taken on this, but the suggestion from these operators that a compromise Is possible makes the situation distiiictly brighter than it was in the beginning of the week. Sylyester Collier has returned lo New Haven, Conn., after a short visit to his mother, Mrs. Annie Collier, of Senate Committee Cannot Agree on Type of Waterway. Division street Washington, March 29.—Canal legislation at the present session of congress is regarded us improbable, even by the members of the senate committee which has been investigating conditions 011 the isthmus of Panama. The Irwin field, organizers suy, will strike, although It Is not organized. This Is denied by Irwin miners. They say the absence of company stores and other advantages in that field place them on a level with or ahead of the union men In this district. Rimer P. Hollcnback has returned to lilonmsburg, to resume his studies in the State Normal School. Fire Chief J. J. Hart was able to be about the streets yesterday for the first time since the Lievy fire, at which he received severe Injuries. Several weeks ago It was decided to postpone temporarily the investigation of criticisms against the management of canal affairs and to consider the type of canal to be constructed. Mrs. William F. Morris and daughter, Daisy, of Pocahontas, Va., have arrived in the city, and will spend several months with Mrs. Morris' mother, Mrs. Bath, of Johnson street. Chicago Fears Coal Famine, accounts, Chicago, March 29.—The Itecord- Herald says; "The supply of commercial coal for Chicago has practically been cut off. For two weeks the coal carrying railroads have been taking 75 per cent, of the output of many mines and the entire production of others. Actual confiscation of coal by the roads within three days is predicted by coal men. During the remainder of this week not a pound of the fuel from Ohio, West Virginia or Pennsylvania will reach Chicago, according to dealers who asserted yesterday it would all be taken by the rdads running to the mines. There was very little if any 'free' coal in the city yesterday. All of the coal received was contract coal, and the supply of that did not meet the demand. The price Is beating upward, and the limit has not been reached. Jobbers have been selling all the soft coal obtainable on oars at $3.50 a ton. Two months ago, in the middle of winter, it went begging at $2 a ton." HYDRANT RESOLUTION The committee is divided 011 this subject, and there is no indication that the testimony has tended to harmonize the views of its members. President Mitchell'* Speech, Charles B. Smith has so far recovered from the injuries which he received by falling' from a ladder at the l,evy building lire, several days ago, that he has resumed his duties a» City Solicitor George F. O'Brien stated this morning that he had in course of preparation the resolution to be introduced in the Joint session of councils this evening relative to the placing of lire plugs. The provision places them on the same standing as the plugs now In service. This precaution will be taken to protect the city's interest In an equity or civil suit that may folloy an opinion adverse to the city in the coming suit to determine whether or not the municipality will be compelled to pny water rent. John Mitchell opened the conference and said that no amount of talk lDy the operators would deceive the public or change the facts. He said it was useless to disguise the real point that most of the coal carrying roads owned the coal mines, and hence there is as great a profit for them in the fact that they carry their own freight and earn Interest on the mouey invested both in producing the soft coal and in selling It to those who pay the freight. A clause in the lease provides for the annulling of the lease whenever the department Is able to move Into a Federal building here. In view of the fact that the house committee on interstate and foreign commerce is not Inclined to accept the testimony taken by the senate committee, it is believed that the house will not be ready for several weeks to take up canal legislation. It Is Interesting to note that the postottlce has been located nearly 29 years In the Music Hall block, being moved there by Postmaster J. 13. Shiffer, on Tuesday, July 17, 1877, from Its former location where the Gazette business office now is. The rental was at first $200 per annum, but is at present $900. Including light and heat. The equipment Installed at that time was considered as fine as any in this section of the State and Is still in use today. The new building will 110 doubt have the effect of. greatly enhancing the value of the Music Hall stores 'for business purposes, besides enhancing the appearance of the city through its prominent location near the river bank. clerk in the office of the county commissioners, at Wllkcabarre. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL New York. March 29, 1906. High. Low. Close. 141% 140"V6 140'i 44% 43% 43% 69 08 14 68% 109 % 107% 107% 94% 93 % 93% 85 % 85 85% 112% 111% 112 172W 171% 171% 69 Vt 68% 59 175% 176% 65% 66% 44% 44% 172 172 150% 150% 72 72 94% 94% 25 25 145 145 159% 160% 88 88 50 % 50 % 138% 138% 94 94 % 134% 135 26% 27% 67% 68 Am Sugar . . Am Car & F Am Loco . . Amnl Copper Atchison com B. R. T  R. & O  Can Pacific . Ches & Ohio This adds to the probability that little will be done at the present session of congress and ttiat the president and the canal commission will be left fret? to exercise their judgment us to the type of canal. "The American people." said Mr. Mitchell, "are going to ask and insist upon knowing why the operators cannot pay an advance of 3 cents a ton. And we are going to ask you why you can now charge the American people an advance of a dollar per ton and not be able to pay us an advance of :D cents a ton." It is general I.v believed that the sentiment in congress Is largely in favor of building the waterway by contract. IMies' Fine Staes SPECIAL NOTICES. IKHijptln anil Viol Kid. Made to .sell at $2.50 and $:t. While the lot lasia, only per pair. PERSONAL ATTENTION St Paul 177 to all watch and Jewelry repairing: C. F. I. .  Erie 67% 4 4 *54 New York, March 20.—Oliurles Moran, self confessed dynamiter, who laid bare to the district attorney an alleged plot on the part of striking ironworkers to wreck property by the use of explosives, was corroborated In some of his statements when sixty pounds of dynamite \yere found burled in tlie spot mentioned by hlin on the Secaucus road, in the outskirts of Jersey City, by officers acting under Instructions of Colonel Murphy, chiof -Df police. Police Find Buried Dynamite, szoo work guaranteed; Harry W. Yaseen, VICTIM OF PARALYSIS. 111 Central 172% jeweler, 63 North Main St. Care and Mr. Mitchell made the statement that many coal companies were so closely allied with other interests that the real profits on the coal taken from the mines are not shown by the books of the coal companies. L. & N, 151% promptness with all repairs. Z. T. Hennlngcr, a well known Tjchigh Valley employe and a boarder for the last 15 years In the Wilbur House, was found in his room yesterday at noon suffering from a stroke of paralysis, caused, so" it Is said, by blood vessels bursting In his brain. Mr. Hennlnger Is employed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad Co., and has charge of the electric turn table. He has resided in Sayre for nearly 25 years and has a wide acquaintance in this valley.—Sayre Times. BRAKEMAN KILLED. M. K. & T. Mo.x Pacific ... 96% Mex Central ... 25% N. Y. Central ..146% Am Smelter ...l(il% Norf & West . . 88 MSTtED! New vegetables arriving at Sharp's. William Jones, of Hudson, a brakeman employed on the Delaware & Hudson railroad, was instantly killed last night while attempting to couple ears In the Carbondale yard. The remains were taken to the family home at Hudson. Mrs. Jones and two children survive. SNIDE ITilEj All varieties of fish at Sharp's. "Gentleman, it seems to me that the time is rapidly approaching when some decision should be reached. And t do not think and 1 know the miners do not believe that you gentlemen with whom We have had these mutually advantageous relutions have done your Ont & West Pennsylvania r.i% 189 79 N. Main St WE CAN SUPPLY YOU Peo Gas 95% with the finest fresh meats. Hallock's Reading 135% tlio ImCs| buying place for hImcs of all kinds. Market, 40 S. Main St. Hock Island So. Pacific . . 27% . ««% Try Bohan's plea, cakes and bread. So Rwy com 41% 40\ 40% OH heaters at Ash's. Shell oysters at Sharp's.