Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-06
HOT CONTEST FOR CONTROL
Eyes of Politicians Are Turned Toward
Fourth Congressional Distr ct,
MACHINlSTS' STRIKE is ABOUT oVE
j.. II. Sage, who Has Had Charge of
the Crop Service Bureau Ever
Since Its Establishment, Is
Reappointed.
CFrom a STAFF Corresnondent.l

CFrom a staff Correspondent)
DIES MONIES, June 5.-(special Inter
est in the congressional contest in the
Fourth district is intense at the present
time, not only because Of the fact that this
is the only contest in the state for renomi-
nation, but because of the importance OF
the fight, therein securing control Of the
party machinery in the state. At the out
set Congressman Haugen was opposed by
James E. Blythe Of Mason City for the nom
~ination. Duncan Rule, also OF Mason City, |
was brought out as a candidate against
Blythe and has beat Blythe in Cerro Gordo
county. In the meantime the friends OF
Haugen have been active in the rest Of the
district. The congressional convention is
set for the 18th, and this was done by the
friends of Haugen. All the county conven-
tions will be held in the next ten days. 1t
is regarded here as almost certain that
Haugen will win, since the friends of Blythe
will now assist him in the fight against
Rule. The real contest is over the control
OF the convention and the delegations to
the state convention, for an effort is being
made to secure a change of committeeman.
Upon the success of this movement depends
the control of the state committee for sew
eral years. Turner, the present member,
Is a friend of Blythe, and it is desired to
supplant him with another. The conven-
tions in the Ninth and Second districts
have not been called as yet and may not be
until late.
Partial Settlement of Strike.
John Campbell, one of the vice presidents
Of the International Order of Machinists,
spent a few days in the city and effected a
partial settlement of the controversy be-
tween the machinists and operators in the
city over the time of labor. The machinists
were contending for a straight nine-hour
day for all the machinists and for helpers
and apprentices. All the men went out in
all the Des Moines shops and this morning,
as the results Of Campbell's work here, the
men went back to work in all but two of
the shops, having been granted their de-
mands in full. The other workmen are ex-
pected to go back this week. The strike
Of plumbers has not been settled yet, but
a number of the firms are working right
along and it appears as If there would be
ultimate failure for the strikers.
ReappOint weather Man.
]. R. Sage was this morning reappointed
by Governor Cummins to have charge Of the
Iowa weather and crop service for the next
two years. Mr.. Sage was the originator of
the bureau in Iowa and has been at it's head
~ uOEo HUI GADeCLI
to continue in the service, however, after
I his present term has ended. He is also In
charge Of the government crop service for
Iowa.
Inspection of the remaining guard COM
panies in Iowa will be made as follsw: Mar
shalltown, June 8; Abba, June 10: Des
Moines, June 16; Wlnterset, June II, and
Stuart, June Is.
Deserted from the Navy.
Charles L. Belt Of Boone has been ar
rested and is in Jail awaiting the coming
OF a naval officer to lake him to Brooklyn to
be tried for desertion from the navy. Belt
was reared In Boone and enlisted a year
ana a half ago In the navy. After a short
time he deserted and was taken to BROOKLYN.
but made his escape, and has again been
captured.
To Jury Tomorrow.
1t is expected that the case of the United
States against Letson Ballet will go to
the jury tomorrow morning. Arguments
were heard all day today in federal court
before Judge Munger on the case, the argu-
ments for the government being by District
Attorney Miles and Mr.. Stewart and for the
defense by Judge Charles A. Bishop and
Colonel Callahan.
Robbers Turn on Gas.
The odor of gas. coupled with the fact
that three calls for reakfas had received
no response, prompted Mrs. w. M. Shelley,
ol9 Seventh street, to burst open the door
leading into the bedroom of G. H. Johnston.
who rooms at her house, early this morn
ing. A perfect gust of gas swept out from
} the room, nearly overpowering the woman,
while within, stretched prone Oh the bed,
lay the apparently lifeless body of the man,
A rfAad r,,AL nIotbao tluz-u- -. -
> room and all of the drawers in the dresser
) standing wide open, told too plainly the
fact that burglars had turned on the gas
E In order to so deaden the sensibilities of
: the man that he would not awaken during
8 the robbing of the house.
5 The unconscious man was removed from
the room and DR.. Smouse was hastily sum-
moned. The victim was nearly dead and II
D was only after several minutes hard work
. that he was finally able to open his eyes
e and sit up.
Rock Island in Control.
$ At the annual meeting of stockholders of
the Keokuk G. Des Moines railroad today
' three directors were elected, all being off,
e GERS in the Rock Island system, thus show
ing that the Rock Island still controls that
I branch. The meeting Of the Des Moines &
4 Fort Dodge tomorrow is expected to devotion
3 NhS'h0l tneIe 10 aHS ruin III inc story
: that the Illinois Central interests are about
n to acquire the Rock Island branch to Ruth
ven.
At the state convention of Congrega-
tionalists today F. N. White Of Sioux City
was elected moderator and p. A.. Johnston
IS OF Ottumwa scribe. over 800 delegates are
. present and the program Of papers and dis.
cussions was entered upon after the APP
p%ointment of the standing committees.
n AT the republican judicial convention held
at Grinnell John T. Scott Of Poweshiek, C
d w. Clements Of Jasper and B. w. Preston
l. Of Mahaska were nominated for judges, the
n latter TO succeed Judge Dewey.
" Land Brings Big Prices.
TO SHENANDOAH, Ia, June 5.-(Special.)-